Hockey Is Back: 2013 YoungStars Tournament

 

 

After a long, arduous, summer, September is once again upon us and that means meaningful hockey is just around the corner. For your Calgary Flames, the road to the regular season begins with the annual Youngstars Tournament in beautiful Penticton, BC. The folks of JetsNation are in attendance this week and will be sending us regular interviews and scouting reports first hand.

Anyways, four western Canadian teams, and San Jose, gather to see whose rookies reign supreme. Here’s a look at the five teams and what fans can expect beginning later this week.

Thursday, Sept. 5: Flames vs. Oilers (5pm MT), Canucks vs. Sharks (8:30pm MT)
Friday, Sept. 6: Jets vs. Sharks (5pm MT), Flames vs. Canucks (8:30pm MT)
Saturday, Sept. 7: Alumni Game (6pm MT), Jets vs. Oilers (8:30pm MT)
Sunday, Sept. 8: Canucks vs. Oilers (5pm MT), Flames vs. Sharks (8:30pm MT)
Monday, Sept. 9: Jets vs. Canucks (1pm MT)

All the Flames games are streamed on the Flames site. Other teams are streaming their games as well.

Oldest Player: C Andy Taranto (6/23/1988)
Youngest Player: F Morgan Klimchuk (3/2/1995)
First Round Picks: F Sean Monahan (2013), F Emile Poirier (2013), F Morgan Klimchuk (2013), F Sven Baertschi (2011)
Second Round Picks: D Patrick Sieloff (2012), D Tyler Wotherspoon (2011), F Markus Granlund (2011)
NHL Experience: F Sven Baertschi, F Ben Hanowski, F Max Reinhart

Calgary is dressing one of their better prospect camp rosters in almost a decade. From goalie Laurent Brossoit to the blueline and their forwards, Calgary’s Youngstars roster boasts many high-end draft picks as well as guys who saw success in junior or college.

Outside of the usual suspects – like Corban Knight and the three 2013 first rounders – keep an eye out for Ryan Culkin, who could earn an NHL deal with a good camp, and Turner Elson, who was an absolute work-horse at July’s development camp.

Oldest Player: F Chase Schaber (1/3/1991)
Youngest Player: G Phillipe Cadorette (4/7/1995)
First Round Picks: D Darnell Nurse (2013), D Oscar Klembom (2011)
Second Round Picks: F Marco Roy (2013), F Mitch Moroz (2012), D David Musil (2011), D Martin Marincin (2010)
Calgary Connections: Joey Leach was drafted by Calgary but not signed. David Musil’s dad played for Calgary. Greg Chase plays for the Hitmen.

NHL Experience: Nobody

These aren’t your momma’s Oilers – you know, the ones that drafted first overall three years in a row. The group that Edmonton’s taking to Penticton is full of guys auditioning for role player positions on the team, not guys aspiring to be the next Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. As such, the roster is almost entirely devoid of “stars,” but full of guys like David Musil and Mitch Moroz – guys you’ve probably never heard of, but guys that you shouldn’t ignore.

Oldest: G Joacim Eriksson (4/9/1990)
Youngest: D Miles Liberati (5/3/1995)
Firsts: F Bo Horvat (2013), F Hunter Shinkaruk (2013), F Brendan Gaunce (2012), F Nicklas Jensen (2011)
Seconds: F Alexandre Mallet (2012)
Calgary Connections: Shinkaruk is from Calgary; Cole Cassels’ dad is former Flame Andrew Ference Andrew Cassels
NHL Experience: D Frankie Corrado

The Canucks have a very young group here, but most of the name-brand talent is in the forward ranks, which boasts all their high draft choices. The defensive group and the goaltenders are a bit of a step down, so perhaps their strategy is to win through sheer offensive talent. Their defense may be a bit underrated, anchored by Frankie Corrado and Jordan Subban.

Oldest: G Juho Olkinuora (11/4/1990)
Youngest: G Eric Comrie (7/5/1995)
Firsts: D Josh Morrissey (2013), D Jacob Trouba (2012), F Mark Scheifele (2011)
Seconds: F Nic Petan (2013), G Eric Comrie (2013), F Lukas Sutter (2012)
Calgary Connections: Morrissey and Adam Lowry are from Calgary. Lukas’s dad is Rich Sutter, who neither played in Calgary (Ron) or ever worked for Calgary (Ron, Brent, Duane, Darryl, Brian).
NHL Experience: F Mark Scheifele

The Jets have a pretty solid group from top-to-bottom, albeit quite heavy with WHL players. In goalie, you have Eric Comrie. On the blueline, Josh Morrissey and Jacob Trouba. Up front, Mark Scheifele anchors a pretty strong group. There aren’t any glaring weaknesses in the Jets line-up.

Oldest: F Eriah Hayes (7/7/1988)
Youngest: D Spenser Jensen (7/2/1995)
Firsts: D Mirco Mueller (2013), F Tomas Hertl (2012)
Seconds: F Gabryel Boudreau (2013), F Chris Tierney (2012), F Matthew Nieto (2011)
Calgary Connections: Several players have played in or visited Calgary, but no real strong connections.
NHL Experience: Nobody

The Sharks have a handful of “name” talents on their roster, including Mirco Mueller and Tomas Hertl. Beyond these guys, this is a group – much like Edmonton’s – full of secondary talents and complementary players. They’re all decent players, but they rely more on steak than on sizzle.