Red Wings cancel annual prospects tournament in Traverse City

By Michael Caples –

In what potentially could be the first product of an NHL lockout, the Red Wings have cancelled their annual prospects tournament in Traverse City.

Via an official press release, Detroit GM Ken Holland and the Red Wings, stated that they will not host the NHL Prospects Tournament at the Center ICE Arena in Traverse City. The release said that the tournament will return in 2013.

“The Red Wings, the staff at Centre ICE Arena and the countless volunteers throughout the Traverse City area have worked hand-in-hand to develop one of the most popular and professionally operated prospects tournaments in all of hockey,” Holland said in the release. “Due to the uncertainty surrounding the collective bargaining agreement and the advance commitments required from the various parties including hotels, airlines, teams, players and their families, etc. we have determined that it is in everyone’s best interest to cancel this year’s tournament. The Red Wings and the seven other NHL teams that were scheduled to participate are committed to returning to Traverse City in 2013 and continuing with this tremendous tournament.”

The Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues were the eight teams scheduled to participate in the tournament.

There is a great deal of uncertainty swirling around the hockey world right now, as the NHL and NHLPA attempt to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement. The NHL has stated that there will be a lockout if an agreement is not reached by Sept. 15.