Michigan names to follow at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City
By @StefanKubus –
The 2015 NHL Prospect Tournament will once again take place in Traverse City, from Sept. 11-15, featuring a wealth of young talent from eight different teams. Joining the Detroit Red Wings this year will be the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers and defending champion Columbus Blue Jackets. The teams have been split into two divisions: Gordie Howe Division (Carolina, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit) and Ted Lindsay Division (Columbus, Minnesota, St. Louis, New York)
Also new this year, the championship trophy has been renamed the Matthew Wuest Memorial Cup in honor of the Capgeek.com founder of the same name, who passed away in March at the age of 35 after a battle with colon cancer. Capgeek tracked NHL salary cap data for all 30 teams in real time.
Here is a list of Michigan names to keep an eye on throughout the tournament:
Detroit Red Wings (specific Michigan connections)
Dylan Larkin (Waterford) – University of Michigan alumnus
Vili Saarijarvi – Flint Firebirds
Nick Betz (Mt. Clemens)
Jalen Chatfield (Ypsilanti)
Jake Paterson – Saginaw Spirit alumnus
Carolina Hurricanes
Phil Di Giuseppe – University of Michigan alumnus
Josh Wesley – Flint Firebirds
Chicago Blackhawks
Nolan Valleau (Novi) – Novi High School alumnus
Tanner Kero (Hancock) – Michigan Tech alumnus
Ryan Hartman – Plymouth Whalers alumnus
Brandon Hope (Canton)
Ryan Haggerty – USA Hockey’s NTDP alumnus
Nick Mattson – USA Hockey’s NTDP alumnus
Columbus Blue Jackets
Nick Moutrey – Saginaw Spirit alumnus
Blake Siebenaler – Belle Tire alumnus
Sonny Milano – Plymouth Whalers, USA Hockey’s NTDP alumnus
Dallas Stars
Alex Peters – Flint Firebirds
Stephen Johns – USA Hockey’s NTDP alumnus
Aaron Haydon (Plymouth)
Minnesota Wild
None
New York Rangers
Ryan Mantha (Clarkston)
Brandon Halverson (Traverse City)
Brady Skjei – USA Hockey’s NTDP
Zach Bratina – Plymouth Whalers, Saginaw Spirit alumnus
Brandon Lindberg – Saginaw Spirit alumnus
St. Louis Blues
Luke Opilka – USA Hockey’s NTDP alumnus