207 CHL grads set for NHL Playoffs
Wednesday April 15, 2015
A total of 207 Canadian Hockey League graduates are competing in the 2015 NHL Playoffs that begin tonight with four games on the schedule.
The 207 CHL grads represent 50% of the players battling for a Stanley Cup title in the coming weeks, with each of the 16 NHL teams featuring former CHL talent.
The OHL leads the way with 89 graduates on NHL Playoff rosters. Former OHL standouts in Steven Stamkos (Sarnia Sting/Tampa Bay Lightning), P.K. Subban (Belleville Bulls/Montreal Canadiens) and John Tavares (London Knights/New York Islanders) take to the ice while former London Knights star Patrick Kane returns to action with the Chicago Blackhawks after missing time due to injury. Recent graduates in Bo Horvat (London Knights/Vancouver Canucks) and Sean Monahan (Ottawa 67’s/Calgary Flames) also look to make an impression as they both suit up for Canadian teams.
The WHL has produced 77 graduates on playoff rosters, headlined by goaltending representatives in Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price (Tri-City Americans), Braden Holtby (Saskatoon Blades) of the Washington Capitals and emergent puckstopper Devan Dubnyk (Kamloops Blazers) of the Minnesota Wild. Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (Calgary Hitmen) leads his team into a series against the up and coming Winnipeg Jets that starts Thursday in Anaheim. Rookie scorer Mark Stone (Brandon Wheat Kings) of the Ottawa Senators has certainly made his mark on the NHL, scoring 18 goals, 29 assists and 47 points in 46 games since the turn of the new year. He finished tied for the NHL’s rookie scoring lead with 64 points (26-38–64) in 80 games.
The QMJHL features 41 graduates competing in the NHL Playoffs. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (Rimouski Oceanic) leads his club into battle against the President’s Trophy winning New York Rangers. Crosby finished third in the NHL this season with 84 points (28-56–84) in 77 contests. He, along with teammate Marc-Andre Fleury (Cape Breton Screaming Eagles) will need to bring their ‘A’ game against Derick Brassard (Drummondville Voltigeurs), Keith Yandle (Moncton Wildcats) and the Rangers. Elsewhere in the Eastern Conference, former Rouyn-Noranda Huskies shooter Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning will face a tough test in former QMJHL standout Tomas Jurco (Saint John Sea Dogs) and the Detroit Red Wings.
The long road to the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals begins tonight. Tune in and be sure to catch your favourite CHL graduates in action!