GREEN AND GOLD ON FULL DISPLAY AT TOP PROSPECTS GAME
By: Katrina Squazzin
The London Knights will be well represented at the 2016 BMO Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, B.C. on January 28 with three players being selected to compete in the annual showcase.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Olli Juolevi will play for Team Orr while forward Max Jones will compete for the opposing Team Cherry.
The top prospects game showcases the top draft eligible talent in the Canadian Hockey League and provides the valuable opportunity for scouts to evaluate the players side-by-side. Forty players are selected by the 30 NHL teams to compete in the annual event and then divided into teams by NHL Central Scouting. This year’s game features 20 players from the Ontario Hockey League, 12 from the Western Hockey League, and 8 from the Quebec Major Junior League.
Tkachuk is ranked as the No. 1 North American skater on the NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings and will serve as the captain of Team Orr. He joins the ranks of former Team Orr captains Connor McDavid, Aaron Ekblad, and Tyler Seguin.
“It’s a privilege to be here in Vancouver,” he said. “Ever since I found out I was coming to this game and learned that I was on Team Orr and playing for somebody who is so well respected around the NHL and in the hockey world, I’ve been extremely excited. Bobby Orr is the greatest defenceman to have ever played the game and to be able to play for him on Thursday is really an honour.”
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound forward is tied for third in OHL scoring with 70 points in 37 games and has been an integral part of the Knights in just his first OHL season. His strong World Juniors campaign also helped solidify his top spot in the North American rankings. The native of St. Louis, MO, helped lead the United States to a third place finish with five goals and six assists in the tournament, including two goals in their 8-3 victory over Sweden in the bronze medal game. Tkachuk tied for the team lead in scoring with line mate and fellow top prospect Austin Matthews.
There is no doubt that many eyes will be on Tkachuk during Thursday’s showcase, as he is expected to make a big impact on Team Orr.
His teammate and fellow Team Orr representative Olli Juolevi will also be closely evaluated during the game.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound defenceman has five goals and 22 assists through 35 games. His two-way style of play and ability to help run the power-play from the point has earned him a plus-29 rating this year, an impressive feat for a player that racks up a lot of minutes on the Knight’s blue line. Juolevi is expected to be one of the first defenseman selected in the NHL draft. He was ranked No. 5 among North American skaters and the second overall defencemen behind only Jakob Chychrun of the Sarnia Sting.
The Finish-born player used the World Juniors to make his case as a high first-round pick at the NHL draft in June, racking up nine assists in seven games to finish the tournament tied for most points by a defencemen. He also earned first team all-star honors and a gold medal with Team Finland to cap off his impressive tournament run.
Juolevi and Tkachuk will be facing off against Max Jones, the lone London Knight on Team Cherry.
Jones has had an impressive rookie campaign with the Knights with 20 goals and 17 assists in 41 games. The power forward has the advantage of size on his side, standing 6-foot-3, 200-pounds at only 17 year’s old.
The power forward has played a vital role in the Knights’ success this season and has been a major force in helping the team’s PK ascend to the top of the OHL. Jones continues to make waves in the OHL with his size, strength, speed and in your face style of play that has turned him into a fan favourite. Max ranks No. 11 among North American skaters and will look to turn even more heads at the Top Prospects Game.
The BMO Top Prospects Game will air tonight on Sportsnet at 9 p.m. EST.
