Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, and Home Hardware Stores Limited, today announced that the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will take place at Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs, on Wednesday January 19, 2011.

“The Canadian Hockey League is very excited to bring the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game back to Toronto where the event first began in 1996,” said CHL President David Branch. “This is an exciting opportunity for the NHL’s future stars to display their talents on Air Canada Centre ice before a national television audience and in front of one of the largest crowds this game has ever seen, and our appreciation is extended to Brian Burke and the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization for hosting this prestigious event.”

The 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game will mark the 16th annual showcase of the CHL’s top-40 NHL draft eligible players featuring talent from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The two-day event also features an exciting skills competition and three-on-three challenge taking place on Tuesday January 18, 2011.

“The CHL has a rich history of producing great NHL players and Toronto has been fortunate enough to have many of its alumni wear the Maple Leaf,” said Brian Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs president and general manager. “This will be a great opportunity to showcase the next generation of NHL stars and the Maple Leafs organization is thrilled to bring the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to Air Canada Centre.”

The event returns to Toronto for the fifth time in 16 years and the first time since Air Canada Centre played host in 2000. Maple Leaf Gardens hosted the first three straight events beginning in 1996.

“On behalf of more than 1,070 Home Hardware Dealers across Canada, we look forward to returning to Air Canada Centre for the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game,” said Paul Straus, President and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Limited. “This will be our twelfth straight year as title partner of the event dating back to 2000 when it was hosted right here in Toronto, and we continue to enjoy the excitement that the players competing in this event bring to hockey fans across the country.”

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with SUBWAY® restaurant chain and the three regional leagues the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Ontario Hockey League, and the Western Hockey League today announced all six Canadian host centres for the 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series.

Canada and Russia will renew their rivalry in CHL venues across the country for the eighth straight year this season as part of a six game series beginning Monday November 8 in Saint John, NB.  The QMJHL will also host Game Two in Drummondville, QC, on Wednesday November 10.  The OHL leg of the series picks up in London, ON, on Thursday November 11 before heading north to Sudbury, ON, for Game Four of the series on Monday November 15.  The series shifts to the WHL and Kamloops, BC, on Wednesday November 17 before wrapping up in Prince George, BC, with Game Six on Thursday November 18.

The series features regional teams of CHL All-Stars competing against the Russian National Junior Team and serves as an integral part of the identification process for Team Canada just prior to Canada’s National Junior Team Selection Camp for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championships to be held this season in Buffalo, New York.

“The CHL looks forward to welcoming back the SUBWAY® Super Series in CHL arenas this November,” said CHL President David Branch.  “The excitement around this event continues to grow as fans have the opportunity to see our league’s top talent that will vie for a spot on Team Canada at the World Junior Championships compete against one of our country’s biggest hockey rivals.”

SUBWAY®, a corporate partner of the CHL since the 2005-06 season became title sponsor of the SUBWAY® Super Series last season as part of an expanded corporate partnership deal.

Last season, the CHL won all six games of the series and were represented internationally by 21 players from 2009 SUBWAY® Super Series rosters on the Team Canada squad that captured silver at the World Junior Championships in Saskatoon, SK.  Eight Russian players also competed in the 2009 event before finishing in sixth place in Saskatchewan.

All six games of the SUBWAY ® Super Series will be broadcast nationally on Rogers Sportsnet with RDS televising both games from the QMJHL.

The 2010 SUBWAY® Super Series is supported by CHL associate sponsors, Bank of Montreal and CCM.
2010 SUBWAY® Super Series Schedule of Games:

Game 1 – Monday November 8 at Saint John, NB
Game 2 – Wednesday November 10 at Drummondville, QC

Game 3 – Thursday November 11 at London, ON
Game 4 – Monday November 15 at Sudbury, ON

Game 5 – Wednesday November 17 at Kamloops, BC
Game 6 – Thursday November 18 at Prince George, BC

The Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs will host an outdoor hockey game Jan. 15 against the Kootenay Ice.

The event will be the first of two outdoor games in the WHL this season. The Calgary Hitmen host the Regina Pats at McMahon Stadium on Feb. 21, the day after the NHL’s Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens play there in the Heritage Classic.

The Chiefs and Ice will square off at Avista Stadium, where baseball’s Spokane Indians play during the summer.

The Indians are a farm team of the Texas Rangers.

“Since the NHL outdoor game in Buffalo 2008 I have wanted the Spokane Chiefs to play in one,” Chiefs president Bobby Brett said in a statement. “I think it will be an unbelievable event for our players and fans.”

Editors Note…

Not much other information has been released, however, Rogers Sportsnet, home of the Canadian Hockey League, is rumored to be the front runner to broadcast the game.

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Louis Leblanc was crushed when he was cut from Canada’s team for the IIHF World Junior Championship last year and it’s clear he doesn’t want that to happen again.

The Montreal Canadiens’ 2009 first-round draft pick scored two goals and was dangerous on nearly every shift while leading Team White to a 6-3 victory over Team Red in an intra-squad game at the Canadian junior team development camp on Friday night.

“I still have a bad taste in my mouth from being cut from camp last year,” said Leblanc. “I came here ready and when the puck dropped I think our line was ready with (Sean) Couturier and (Quinton) Howden.

“Things were clicking and I think we got the job done.”

Brayden Schenn also had two goals while Casey Cizikas and Leblanc’s linemate Sean Couturier got one each for the Whites, who outshot Red 38-36.

Defenceman Stefan Elliott and forward Carter Ashton scored in the first period and winger Zack Kassian got one in the third for Red.

Leblanc left Harvard University to join the Montreal Juniors of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this summer in order to play more games and play in his home town. One of the 19-year-old’s top priorities is to make the world junior team.

“I think I’m ready to make the commitment and play a lot of games and focus on hockey for a year and see where I am the year after,” he said.

Tyler Seguin, the second overall draft pick of the Boston Bruins, was held off the scoresheet. The skill and explosive skating of the Plymouth Whalers’ star was evident, but Seguin was not sharp around the net.

“It’s the first time I played in a game since the (Boston) development camp after the draft, so I’m kind of using this to get back into hockey shape,” said Seguin. “It’s going to be a little tough going out there after not playing as much hockey as some other guys.

“I feel strong out there. I’ve been working out a lot for the last month and half and from now on, I’ll work out and skate for another month and half.”

After his low shot was stopped by Jean-Francois Berube after breaking in alone down the right side, a fan yelled out “Taylor Hall would have scored from there” – a reference to Edmonton’s No. 1 overall pick.

An announced crowd of 2,346 turned out at Mile One Centre, several wearing Bruins jerseys.

The teams will play a second Red-White game Saturday night.

There was only one power play in the game as Ashton was sent off for roughing and it produced a goal for Couturier, tabbed as a potential first overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft. He also had an assist.

A skirmish broke out late in the game when White defenceman Erik Gusbranson was speared in the groin and went after Kassian.

Coach Dave Cameron was not amused.

“I thought it was a spear that started it – I’ve got no time for that,” said Cameron. “The competitiveness I love.

“You’re not going to win this tournament if you’re undisciplined. It’s just too close with too many teams. So hopefully it’s a learning experience for our team.”

White jumped to an early 2-0 lead as Cizikas got around defenceman Brock Beukeboom, went in alone and, after his first shot was stopped, scored from a scramble in front of Mark Visentin only 45 seconds into the game.

Visentin left a big rebound and was slow to cover his right side as Leblanc shot in his own rebound at 5:05.

Elliot fired a wrist shot to the top corner past Calvin Pickard through traffic at 11:11 to put Red on the board and Ashton tied it at 14:38, scoring from the side of the net after a long moment of intense pressure in the White zone.

Leblanc put White ahead at 18:02 as he was sent in on a two-on-one by Couturier and put a wrist shot in off Visentin’s glove.

Scott Glennie created traffic in front and his Brandon Wheat Kings teammate Schenn sneaked in to lift in a White goal 6:04 into the middle frame.

Neil Manning partially fanned on a point shot and the puck fooled Berube as it went in off Schenn’s leg. Couturier’s power-play goal gave White a commanding lead.

Kassian backhanded a shot into an open side through a pile-up in front of Olivier Roy’s crease in the third period to make it a little closer.

But while White dominated, Cameron said the teams won’t be changed for the second intra-squad game.

“Team White was the better team, but now it’s a challenge for Team Red to come back,” he said. “You don’t want to take that challenge away from them.

“The easiest thing now would be to even it up, but no, this is a team sport. Let’s see how they respond.”

Both teams changed goalies midway through the second frame, with Berube replacing Visentin and Roy in for Pickard.

The Red team was stacked at centre with Seguin, fourth overall pick Ryan Johansen (Columbus), who had two assists, and seventh overall pick Jeffrey Skinner (Carolina).

But White had Schenn, the only healthy returnee from last year’s world juniors, and Couturier down the middle. White also had No. 3 pick Gudbranson (Florida) on defence.

The former Ontario Hockey League MVP has signed his first professional contract.

According to the Boston Globe, the deal is for three years and will pay Seguin a base salary of $900,000 per season.  Even though exact terms were not disclosed, this is the maximum salary on an entry level deal.  The report states that Seguin could make up to $3.75 million per year if all of his bonuses are met.

In 63 games last season with the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, Seguin amassed 48 goals and 106 points, tied for top spot with the NHL’s number one overall pick in the 2010 draft, Taylor Hall.

With rumors surrounding that Marc Savard will be shipped out prior to the season starting, Seguin could break in on the team’s top-two lines.  Whether he stays at his natural center position is in question, as the Bruins have been thinking about the idea of moving him to the wing to get comfortable with the pace of NHL play.

If he does not make the Bruins, or the team decides to send him down before his allotted amount of games in the NHL, Seguin must return to the Whalers as he is under 20 years old.

Seguin, who did not make Team Canada’s National Junior team last year, will participate in the annual Canadian National Junior development camp in St. John’s, Newfoundland this week.

Erik’s youngest brother, 13-year old Dennis, has suffered through two bouts with cancer, causing a lot of strain on a family who was desperate for something to go right.

Now, with Dennis having a clean bill of health, the Gudbranson family can celebrate both that and Erik’s big move to the Florida Panthers.

Gudbranson was elated to be selected in the third spot.

“It’s absolutely huge,” a wide smiled Gudbranson said.  “With what myself and my family have been through with my brother, this is definitely a high point in our lives, as much for me as it is for my family and my teammates.  I can’t thank them enough.”

Even with his success so far, Erik said he realizes that he has a lot of work ahead of him in order to crack the Panthers lineup next season.

“This is an absolute dream come true and it’s where I wanted to be and where I dreamed to be since the combine,” he said.  “I worked hard for this and I realize there’s a lot of work to be done but I’m thankful for the opportunity.”

Now, playing for Kingston in the Ontario Hockey League, there is a certain former NHL star that’s been leading the charge the last two seasons named Doug Gilmour.

Gudbranson was asked about how Gilmour helped his maturation process during his playing time with the Frontenacs.

“He’s got unbelievable experience,” he said.  “He’s an NHL legend and has turned me into a pro.  He’s shown me every tidbit he could to bring me to this level and help me to be who I am.”

And getting to the next level is the new plan for Gudbranson.

“It’s where I want to be and where I set my goal,” he said.  “I have to work on my hands and put on some weight but I think I can play at the NHL level next season.”

As for his thoughts on going to the Panthers and how he thinks he’ll fit in with his new team?

“I feel with Dmitry Kulikov there I could be a good compliment to him on the back end,” Gudbranson explained.  “A real attraction is having [new general manager] Dale Tallon there and seeing what he did with the [Chicago] Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup and building that team from scratch.  I’m really excited to be a Panther now and I feel like they’re a team that’s going in the right direction.”

Looking up into the stands when he was selected, everyone in attendance could see the massive amount of emotion Erik’s entire family was feeling.

“I’ve never been squeezed so hard by my dad, and my mom was ecstatic,” he said.  “My dad broke down into tears and you know, it’s a great feeling and something I’ll never forget.”

And Dennis’ reaction?

“I think he said I stepped on his toe or something like that.  He was just really happy.”

In a two horse race to be the first overall selection, the debate between Tyler Seguin and Taylor Hall will be settled by the Edmonton Oilers – barring any trades. The Boston Bruins will – also barring a trade – be choosing second, and should take whoever the Oilers pass on.

Following is the current order of selection for the first round:

Round 1

1. Edmonton Oilers

2. Boston Bruins (from Toronto)

3. Florida Panthers

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

5. New York Islanders

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

7. Carolina Hurricanes

8. Atlanta Thrashers

9. Minnesota Wild

10. New York Rangers

11. Dallas Stars

12. Anaheim Ducks

13. Phoenix Coyotes (from Calgary)

14. St. Louis Blues

15. Boston Bruins

16. Ottawa Senators

17. Colorado Avalanche

18. Nashville Predators

19. Los Angeles Kings

20. Pittsburgh Penguins

21. Detroit Red Wings

22. Phoenix Coyotes

23. Buffalo Sabres

24. Atlanta Thrashers (from New Jersey)

25. Vancouver Canucks

26. Washington Capitals

27. Montreal Canadiens

28. San Jose Sharks

29. Anaheim Ducks (from Philadelphia)

30. Chicago Blackhawks

For all of your NHL Draft updates live from Los Angeles, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@OpenIceHockey, @vankoughnett) or add us on Facebook (http://tinyurl.com/3327ajo)

OpenIceHockey’s Jesse Michael caught up with Nino at this year’s prospects game in Windsor, Ontario.

JM: Do you feel you improved your draft status with your play at the World Juniors?
NN: I think that people were able to see what type of player I was at the juniors.  After the juniors, I thought I tried to play the same game as before.  I tried to score every game as that was my job there.

JM: Where were you for the Swiss upset of Canada at the 2006 Olympics?  What did it mean to your country?
NN: I was watching TV with my family.  It was unbelievable.  Seeing [Paul] DiPietro score those two goals was just awesome to watch.  It was the biggest thing so far for ice hockey in Switzerland.

JM:What do you need to do this past season in Portland, on and off the ice, to make sure you get drafted in the position that you want to?
NN: I just tried to play the same game every time.  When I came to North America I wanted to play against the best kids my age.  I haven’t changed too much with my eating habits, I just try to work out as much as I can and get stronger.

JM:How do the girls in Portland compare to the girls in Switzerland?
NN: There’s a lot of nice girls in Poland, very open.  In Switzerland, they have the most beautiful girls but are a bit more arrogant than in Portland.

JM:Who controls the music in the locker room?  If Ipod, what do you listen to?
NN:We all have Ipod’s, but during the season I was the DJ and controlled everything.  We listen to things like electro/trans and that sort of stuff.  They seemed to like it a lot.

JM:What NHL pro do you model your game after?
NN:I want to be like [Vincent] Lecavalier.    He tries to make every time he’s out there something special.  He’s a hard worker.

JM: If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?
NN: You know the movie Hitch?  Kind of him!

JM: Will Smith?
NN: *laughing* Ya, like him…kind of like a date doctor!

JM: Do you play NHL 2010?  And if so, did you create yourself?
NN: I play all the time with one of my buddies back in Portland, but no I didn’t create myself.  Didn’t want to jinx myself.

JM: Favorite Movie?
NN: Cool Runnings.  One of the greatest movies ever.

JM: Favorite Meal?
NN: I like every kind of pasta

JM: Favorite NHL player now?
NN: Kovalchuk.  He has magic hands and he’s so fast

JM: Favorite NHL team?
NN: Chicago Blackhawks

JM:Backyard rink or pond?
NN: Pond

JM: Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky?
NN:They’re all legends.  I can’t pick one.  They’re all different players.

Look for Niederreiter to be an early-to-mid first round pick in the upcoming 2010 NHL entry draft.

OpenIceHockey’s Jesse Michael caught up with Emerson at this year’s prospects game in Windsor, Ontario.

JM: How have you adapted to the CHL style compared to the American style?

EE: Obviously it’s a really tough league and more defensive.  Since a couple of years ago I’ve gotten more physically and mentally tougher.  Willie Desjardins have been really good to me and given me no pressure at all.  I went out there and played the game they wanted me to play and I’ve been successful so far.

JM: Biggest differences between the U-18 US program and the WHL?

EE: Obviously it’s NHL rules, a lot faster and I think he guys are more skilled individually.  There are top draft picks on the other team every night  It’s preparing me for the next level.  Everything down to the crowds is preparing me for the next level.

JM: What do you think the biggest reason is for the American influx in the WHL?

EE: A lot of Californians are coming just because they don’t get the exposure at the colleges out there.  It’s another way that the WHL teams give them a shot to play.  They’re starting to come out with more skilled players, more upcoming players.  With the US winning tournaments like the World Juniors, it’s another example of the US producing better and better players every year.

JM: Did the Gretzky move to LA influence more players to start playing?

EE: It was definitely Gretzky.  He’s the one that brought hockey to California.  But since then I think it’s the year round training.  To be able to be outside all day or work on your shot or train it’s a huge help and the expansion of more and more rinks.

JM: How do the girls in California compare to the girls in Medicine Hat?

EE: Medicine Hat is no comparison.  I’m speechless to tell you the truth.  Girls, they’re a lot more open, they show a little more in California.  I think style is more popular, there are scenes that attract people.  I’d say they’re 10 times hotter *laughing*.

JM: Who controls the music in the room?

EE: We do a team jump around and warm up.  We all just jump around and listen to a pump up song and get going for the game.

JM: What do you have on the ipod

EE: Our pump song is “Tic Tok” by Keisha.

JM: Really?

EE: *laughing* It’s our go to song.  But then we have a bunch of Canadian bands I’m hearing.  I don’t listen to the Canadian kind of stuff but that’s what we listen to…Billy Talent or that sort of stuff.

JM: If you weren’t a hockey player, what would you want to be?

EE: I wanted to be an artist.  Or a laid back job like a surfer.  Something where I can travel and do what I want and not be stuck in a booth all day.

JM: If there was a movie about your life, who would play you?

EE: Off the top of my head probably Will Farrell.  Maybe a little bit of a jokester, he’s laid back and I enjoy that humor.

JM: Do you do hockey pools?

EE: I do a team hockey pool with all the guys.

JM: Would you draft yourself if you made the NHL?

EE: No.  There’s too much pressure and a lot of pressure on other people.  I’d probably pass.

JM: Boyhood idol?

EE: Pavel Bure (boyhood idol).  I admire his speed and if I had one player to play like it would be him.

JM: Favorite food?

EE: Mexican

JM: Favorite NHL player now?

EE: Ilya Kovalchuk.  It’s just his speed, great shot and he scores.  He does everything.

JM: Favorite NHL team?

EE: LA Kings.  It was between Ducks and Kings.  I’m in LA county so the Kings.

JM: Favorite movie?

EE: Life is Beautiful.  It’s an Old WW2 movie.

JM: Taylor or Tyler?

EE: Tyler Seguin.

JM: Backyard rink or pond?

EE: Backyard Rink

JM: Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky?

EE: Mario Lemieux.  I think if he wasn’t injured he would have caught Wayne Gretzky.

Look for Emerson to be drafted in the mid-first round of the 2010 NHL entry draft.

He is the number one goalie prospect in the world according to the Central Scouting final rankings.  He is also the brother of Nashville Predators prospect Chet Pickard.

OpenIceHockey’s Jesse Michael caught up with Cavlin at this year’s prospects game in Windsor, Ontario.

JM: You’re brothers with Chet [former WHL goaltender].  Do you feel like you’re in his shadow with all of his accomplishments so far?

CP: “Obviously I get compared to him pretty much every day.  I get asked that question quite a bit. It’s good to have that name out there can’t hurt.  You have to pave your own path, and that’s what I’ve been trying to do.”

JM: How have you tried to differentiate yourself from your brother?

CP: “We’re different people.  Three years apart.  I’m just trying to be the best goalie I can be at all times.

JM: In your opinion, who’s the better goalie?

CP: “Him right now because he’s playing pro hockey, but I had bit of a head start.  I had a little more of natural ability, but he had to work a little harder to earn where he is right now.  Hopefully I can do the same.”

JM: Major differences in your game compared to his?

CP: “I play more of an athletic style, whereas he’s more sound technically.  But we’re both mentally sound.  There really isn’t that much of a difference between the both us”

JM: Any other brothers growing up besides Chet?

CP: “Just the two of us. “

JM: Who shot on you?!

CP: *laughing* “We took turns shooting on each other.”

JM: How often did you play each other when you were younger?
CP: “We never played against each other up until last year in junior.  We played against each other a few times and he beat me every time.”

JM: Who did your parents cheer for?
CP: “They were just watching the game, nervous.  They were hoping for a 1-0 shootout win.  They cheer for both of us and hope it’s a low scoring game.”

JM: Who controls the music in the Seattle dressing room?
CP: “I like changing up the music.  There’s this one guy that does it all the time.  We have some good beats.  Mostly rap, some popular stuff, and some techno.”

JM: What do you have on your IPod?
CP: “Mostly country.  I’m more of a country guy.”

JM: What profession would you be if you weren’t a hockey player?
CP: “I haven’t really thought about that since I’ve been a hockey player most of my life, but I’d want to get into something like a Chiropractor.”

JM: Who would play you in a movie about your life?
CP: “Will Farrell.  I guess people call me a funny guy. *laughing*”

JM: Do you do hockey pools?

CP: “Ya.  There’s a few of us in one this year.  We aren’t paying much attention to it.  I haven’t been much of a hockey pool guy but it’s fun to compete against your teammates and that kind of thing.”

JM: Would you draft yourself?
CP: “Probably ya.  For sure”

JM: Do you play NHL ’10?
CP: “Oh ya.  A lot.  My roommate and I have the best of 7 series every night.”

JM: Did you create yourself in the game?
CP: “I haven’t yet; I just play with different NHL teams.  I don’t want to jinx myself”

JM: Favorite boyhood idol growing up?
CP: “Roberto Luongo.  I lived in New Brunswick when he was playing in Bathurst in Junior so I saw him play quite a bit.  Then obviously just watching him on TV”

JM: Favorite meal?
CP: “Steak.  Steak and potatoes.”

JM: Favorite NHL Team
CP: “All the Canadian teams and New Jersey.”

JM: Favorite Movie?
CP: “Dumb and Dumber.  It’s just a classic and I know every line.”

JM: Taylor or Tyler?
CP: “Tyler.”

JM: Backyard rink or pond?
CP: “Backyard Rink.”

JM: Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux or Wayne Gretzky?
CP: “Wayne Gretzky.”

JM: Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Roberto Luongo?
CP: “Luongo.”

Calvin is projected as a late first round or an early second round pick at the upcoming 2010 NHL entry draft.