For now, the content of the deal is uncertain, however, it has been confirmed that the second deal the New Jersey Devils submitted to the NHL has been accepted under these new terms.

More information will become available sometime around the 5pm deadline today, as both sides are ironing out the details.

Stay tuned….

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.

An explanation of the camp from the Canadian Hockey League website…

The players attending camp, born in 1991 or 1992, were selected by Hockey Canada head scout Al Murray, in consultation with the coaching staff. Head coach Dave Cameron (Mississauga St. Michael’s, OHL) along with assistant coaches Ryan Huska (Kelowna, WHL) and André Tourigny (Rouyn-Noranda, QMJHL) will lead the players through practices and two intersquad games at the development camp, in what is the first step towards naming Canada’s team for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship. George Burnett (Belleville, OHL), recently named an assistant coach with the team, will not be at the camp due to his involvement as head coach of Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team.

DEVELOPMENT CAMP ROSTER

Name	S/C	Ht.	Wt.	Born	Hometown	Club team	Pro Status
Nom	T/C	G.	P.	Né	Ville d’origine	Équipe club	Statut prof.
Goaltenders/Gardiens de but
Jean-François Bérubé	L/G	6’1”	166	07/13/91	Boisbriand, Que./QC	Montreal (QMJHL)	LA ’09 (4, 95)
Calvin Pickard	L/G	6’0”	207	04/15/92	Winnipeg, Man.	Seattle (WHL)	COL ’10 (2, 49)
Olivier Roy	L/G	5’11.5”	182	07/12/91	Causapscal, Que./QC	Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)	EDM ’09 (5, 133)
Mark Visentin	L/G	6’2”	187	08/07/92	Waterdown, Ont.	Niagara (OHL)	PHX ’10 (1, 27)
Defence/Défense
Tyson Barrie	R/D	5’10”	190	07/26/91	Victoria, B.C./C.-B.	Kelowna (WHL)	COL ’09 (3, 64)
Jared Cowen	L/G	6’5”	226	01/25/91	Allan, Sask.	Spokane (WHL)	OTT ’09 (1, 9)
Nicolas Deslauriers	L/G	6’0”	198	02/22/91	St-Anicet, Que./Qc	Gatineau (QMJHL)	LA ’09 (3, 84)
Simon Despres	L/G	6’4”	205	07/27/91	Laval, Que./Qc	Saint John (QMJHL)	PIT ’09 (1, 30)
Taylor Doherty	R/D	6’8”	230	03/02/91	Cambridge, Ont.	Kingston (OHL)	SJ ’09 (2, 57)
Stefan Elliott	R/D	6’1”	191	01/30/91	North Vancouver, B.C./C.-B.	Saskatoon (WHL)	COL ’09 (2, 49)
Ryan Ellis	R/D	5’10”	184	01/03/91	Freelton, Ont.	Windsor (OHL)	NSH ’09 (1, 11)
Jerome Gauthier-Leduc	R/D	6’1”	171	07/30/92	Quebec City, Que./Qc	Rimouski (QMJHL)	BUF ’10 (3, 68)
Brandon Gormley	L/G	6’2”	184	02/18/92	Murray River, P.E.I./I.-P.-E.	Moncton (QMJHL)	PHX ’10 (1, 13)
Erik Gudbranson	R/D	6’3”	195	01/07/92	Orleans, Ont.	Kingston (OHL)	FLA ’10 (1, 3)
Brayden McNabb	L/G	6’4”	210	01/21/91	Davidson, Sask.	Kootenay (WHL)	BUF ’09 (3, 66)
Neil Manning	L/G	5’11”	170	05/12/91	Nanaimo, B.C./C.-B.	Vancouver (WHL)	FA/JA
Dylan Olsen	L/G	6’2”	217	01/03/91	Calgary, Alta./Alb.	Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA)	CHI ’09 (1, 28)
Brett Ponich	L/G	6’7”	225	02/22/91	Beaumont, Alta./Alb.	Portland (WHL)	STL ’09 (2, 48)
Mark Pysyk	R/D	6’0”	182	01/11/92	Sherwood Park, Alta./Alb.	Edmonton (WHL)	BUF ’10 (1, 23)
Charles-Olivier Roussel	R/D	6’1”	196	09/13/91	St-Eustache, Que./Qc	Montreal (QMJHL)	NSH ’09 (2, 42)
Forwards/Avants
Carter Ashton	L/G	6’3”	200	04/01/91	Saskatoon, Sask.	Regina (WHL)	TB ’09 (1, 29)
Taylor Beck	R/D	6’2”	205	05/13/91	St. Catharines, Ont.	Guelph (OHL)	NSH ’09 (3, 70)
Casey Cizikas	L/G	5’10”	190	02/27/91	Toronto, Ont.	Mississauga St. Michael’s (OHL)	NYI ’09 (4, 92)
Kyle Clifford	L/G	6’1”	200	01/13/91	Ayr, Ont.	Barrie (OHL)	LA ’09 (2, 35)
Sean Couturier	L/G	6’3”	185	12/07/92	Bathurst, N.B./N.-B.	Drummondville (QMJHL)	2011 Dft/Rep.
Cody Eakin	L/G	5’11.5”	182	05/25/91	Winnipeg, Man.	Swift Current (WHL)	WSH ’09 (3, 85)
Brendan Gallagher	R/D	5’8”	163	06/05/92	Delta, B.C./C.-B.	Vancouver (WHL)	MTL ’10 (5, 147)
Scott Glennie	R/D	6’1”	188	02/22/91	Winnipeg, Man.	Brandon (WHL)	DAL ’09 (1,
Taylor Hall	L/G	6’0”	181	11/14/91	Kingston, Ont.	Windsor (OHL)	EDM ’10 (1, 1)
Curtis Hamilton	L/G	6’3”	202	12/04/91	Kelowna, B.C./C.-B.	Saskatoon (WHL)	EDM ‘10 (2, 48)
Quinton Howden	L/G	6’3”	183	01/21/92	Oak Bank, Man.	Moose Jaw (WHL)	FLA ’10 (1, 25)
Ryan Howse	L/G	5’11”	195	07/06/91	Prince George, B.C./C.-B.	Chilliwack (WHL)	CGY ’09 (3, 74)
Ryan Johansen	R/D	6’2”	192	07/31/92	Port Moody, B.C./C.-B.	Portland (WHL)	CBJ ’10 (1, 4)
Zack Kassian	R/D	6’3”	215	01/24/91	LaSalle, Ont.	Windsor (OHL)	BUF ’09 (1, 13)
Louis Leblanc	R/D	5’11.5”	181	01/26/91	Pointe-Claire, Que./Qc	Harvard (NCAA)	MTL ’09 (1, 18)
Brad Ross	L/G	5’11.5”	175	05/28/92	Lethbridge, Alta./Alb.	Portland (WHL)	TOR ’10 (2, 43)
Brayden Schenn	L/G	6’0”	194	08/22/91	Saskatoon, Sask.	Brandon (WHL)	LA ’09 (1, 5)
Jaden Schwartz	L/G	5’10”	193	06/25/92	Wilcox, Sask.	Tri-City (USHL)	STL ’10 (1, 14)
Tyler Seguin	R/D	6’1”	186	01/31/92	Brampton, Ont.	Plymouth (OHL)	BOS ’10 (1, 2)
Riley Sheahan	L/G	6’2”	200	12/07/91	St. Catharines, Ont.	Notre Dame (NCAA)	DET ’10 (1, 21)
Jeffrey Skinner	L/G	5’10”	182	05/16/92	Markham, Ont.	Kitchener (OHL)	CAR ’10 (1, 7)
Tyler Toffoli	R/D	6’0”	181	04/24/92	Scarborough, Ont.	Ottawa (OHL)	LA ’10 (2, 47)
Linden Vey	R/D	5’11”	188	07/17/91	Wakaw, Sask.	Medicine Hat (WHL)	LA ’09 (4, 96)
Ethan Werek	L/G	6’2”	200	06/07/91	Goodwood, Ont.	Kingston (OHL)	NYR ’09 (2, 47)

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.

Proceeds raised will be directly donated to two charities; the Canadian Cancer Society, and Sick Kids Hospital, in an attempt to help create a future without cancer. With your help, we can make this a reality.

Unlike last year’s tournament, which was invite-only, the 2nd Annual TFP Charity Golf Tournament is open to everyone.

But you better sign up quickly, as there are only 40 remaining spaces available to the public (as of June 5), so be sure to register as soon as you can. Individual players, pairs, and foursomes are welcome.

Every player will get the opportunity to WIN A FREE TRIP FOR 2 TO THE SUPER BOWL OR STANLEY CUP FINALS!

Location: The Club at Bond Head, home course of the NHLPA. Approximately 45 minutes from Toronto.

NHLers attending: TBA

Cost per golfer: $200 | Cost per foursome: $800
*Includes green fee, cart, lunch, dinner, Bond Head gift, free golf sleeve, events at each hole, and a 1-year free subscription to The Fourth Period Magazine.

Registration begins at 11am ET, followed by shotgun start at 1:30pm.

Prizes and silent auction featuring NHL memorabilia, such as signed jerseys and hats, will be available following the round of golf.

Hole-in-One Contest: Think you’re Tiger Woods? Make a hole-in-one and you can win $10,000!!

If interested in sponsoring the tournament, please head to http://www.thefourthperiod.com/golf/ for more information.

From there out, our top ten list includes Evgeni Nabokov, previously of the San Jose Sharks, 37-year old Ray Whitney and defeceman Sergei Gonchar.

From ten down to one, here is OIH’s list of the top ten free agents, their likely destination, and the payday they’re most likely to receive.

Ten

Olli Jokinen — A team will take a chance on Olli, even though he has an awful year with Calgary and then with his trade to the NY Rangers.  He is typically known for wilting under the pressure, which was example A last year in New York, scoring 15 points in 26 games.  If he wants a job next year, he should be asking for less than the $5.25 million he earned last year.

UPDATE – Jokinen has signed a 2 year, $3 million/season deal with the Calgary Flames

Nine

Alexander Frolov — Based on potential skill, he is in the top three UFA’s, however he’s way too inconsistent.  If his  asking price isn’t too high, and he doesn’t bolt to the KHL, Frolov could be a solid pick up for a team looking for a 50-70 point guy.  He has also scored thirty goals twice in his career, something not many of the players on this list have.

Possible Destinations – Florida, Atlanta, NY Islanders

Pay 2009-10: $2.9 million, Increase/Decrease in 2010-11:  Increase $1-1.5 million/season

Eight

Matthew Lombardi – After posting 53 points in 78 games, helping propel the Phoenix Coyotes into the playoffs, Lombardi will be looking for upwards of a 2-3 million/year raise, which could be too rich for Phoenix’s blood.  He has drawn significant interest from around the league, as he is only 28 years old.

UPDATE – Lombardi has signed a 3 year, $3.5 million/season deal with the Nashville Predators

Seven

Teemu Selanne — Scoring 27 goals in 54 games last season with the Ducks, Selanne can still bring it night after night.  He has had some injury troubles over the last few seasons, but as long as his salary demands aren’t outrageous, he should be a nice fit somewhere around the league – if he doesn’t retire.

Possible Destinations — Anaheim, Edmonton, Florida

Pay 2009-10: $2 million, Increase/Decrease in 2010-11:  Decrease $0.5-1 million/season

Six

Dan Hamhuis — A solid acquisition for whichever team gets him.  He will stabilize most bluelines and has a veteran presence in the dressing room.  Not known for his offensive prowess, Hamhuis is great in his own end, but still managed to put up 20 points or more in his six seasons in the league.

UPDATE – Hamhuis has signed a 6 year, $4.5 million/season deal with the Vancouver Canucks

Five

Anton Volchenkov — According to sources the Capitals have the inside track on Volchenkov, but who knows once free agency actually starts.  There has been said to be as many teams as ten interested in the services of the former Ottawa Senator.  A tenacious, shot blocking, hard hitting defenceman, Volchenkov should see a substantial raise on the open market.

UPDATE – Volchenkov has signed a 6 year, $4.25 million/season deal with the New Jersey Devils

Four

Ray Whitney — Whitney wants more than a one-year deal, and should be able to land a two-year deal since he has had a lot of interest from as many as four teams.  “The Wizard” has scored over 20 goals and 30 assists his last four seasons, and at age 37, should still be able to put up solid numbers wherever he goes.

UPDATE – Whitney has signed a 2 year, $3 million/season deal with the Phoenix Coyotes

Three

Sergei Gonchar — Even though Gonchar is getting up in age, he is still able to produce points and play at a high level.  This was on full display throughout his last three years patrolling the Penguins’ defence, making it to the second round of the playoffs three straight seasons, playing in two Stanley Cup finals, winning it in 2009.  He will get a raise, whether it be in Pittsburgh or somewhere else. *Note* J.P. Barry, Gonchar’s agent, as of July 1st at midnight said talks have stalled and Gonchar will most likely test the open market.

UPDATE – Gonchar has signed a 3 year, $5.5 million/season deal with the Ottawa Senators

Two

Evgeni Nabokov — A perennial playoff under achiever, Nabokov should still get a fair amount of interest around the league, as long as he keeps his salary demands affordable.  With many teams around the league having shored up their goaltending positions, there are only a few destinations with the room, both on the roster and cap, to fit Nabokov in.

UPDATE – Gonchar has signed a 4 year, $6 million/season deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL 

Ilya Kovalchuk — Kovalchuk has signed with the New Jersey Devils no one.  According to reports, Kovalchuk had signed a 17-year deal worth over $102 million dollars, but the NHL said no, and cancelled the deal based on the fact that the contract violated the collective bargaining agreement between the players and the NHL.  Kovalchuk remains a free agent.

Possible Destinations – NJ, LA, Anaheim, Florida

Pay 2009-10: $6.39 million, Increase/Decrease in 2010-11:  Increase $2.5-3.5 million/season

This year was no different. Windsor Spitfires’ defenceman Cam Fowler, who was ranked as high as third, slipped all the way to the Anaheim Ducks at 12.

“I really have no idea,” responded Fowler when asked about dropping so low. “That’s part of the process. These NHL teams are looking for a certain type of player. It just seems that I didn’t fit any of those up until now.”

The slick puck moving defenceman had an unimpressive Memorial Cup. The poor showing certainly didn’t help his draft stock. Even still, no one expected a fall of that nature.

“It’s tough, the wait, no matter what you’re doing the wait is always hard,” he said. “When you have high expectations for yourself and people are saying certain things and it doesn’t end up working out it’s tough.”

The Ducks were ecstatic to get a player in the mold of the now retired Scott Niedermayer.  Fowler, a point per game player last season in the OHL, grew up idolizing Neidermayer and is equally excited to learn from him.

“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and I think I came to a great organization that is excited to have me,” continued Fowler. “At the end of the day that’s all that really matters.”

Fowler will most likely end up back in the OHL next season. It’ll be a chance for him to mature physically and work on his defensive game. Inspiration is not something he is short of right now.

“Definitely,” he said about having something to prove to all the teams that passed on him. “It’s hard every time you’re projected as a top pick and you kind of slide. It’s tough. It’s something to use as motivation going into training camp. Now that I’m part of an NHL team my mind is on nothing but hockey right now. I wish I could go out there and play hockey right now and use some of that anger.”

There are a lot of NHL General Managers that will have some explaining to do when Fowler cracks the Ducks line up and quarterbacks their power play for the next 10 years.

“Who knows why it happened,” concluded Fowler. But, like I said they have some great players out there and I’m just happy I’m a Duck now. “

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.”