Off to Camp for Five Rangers
On Sunday, September 6, The Aud will play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators as they begin their 2009 NHL Prospects Camp.
The annual NHL Prospects Camps allow potential players the opportunity to earn a spot on the team’s training camp roster. Eligible players must have been born no later than 1985; goalies are exempt from this rule. Each team is able to have a maximum of four players with one year of professional experience, the rest must be made up of draft picks and free agents invited to attend the camp.
Three of the newest Rangers players, Brandon Maxwell, John Moore and Jeremy Morin will be attending camps for the Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets and Atlanta Thrashers respectively, while returning players Tyler Randell and Robert Bortuzzo will be staying in Kitchener to attend the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins camps at the Aud.
Brandon Maxwell, a native of Florida, was the Avalanche’s sixth-round selection (154th overall) this past June in the NHL Entry Draft. The goaltending prospect will be leaving this Monday to attend the team’s camp and is itching to get down to business. "Honestly, I don’t know what to expect," said the 18 year old Maxwell. "I’m really looking forward to learning from the older guys on the team."
Like Maxwell, Chicago native John Moore can’t wait to learn from the veterans. Selected as the 21st overall pick in the first round by the Blue Jackets, Moore will be participating in the Annual NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan from September 6th – 10th. In total, eight teams will take part in the tournament including the Atlanta Thrashers and fellow new Rangers player, Jeremy Morin. "I’m excited to compete with the Blue Jackets and be a part of the organization," Moore said. "I got to meet most of the team and I’m already pretty comfortable with them. It’s going to be a great experience."
Jeremy Morin admits that he’s a little more nervous about playing on a faster level. "It’s going to be tough. But I’m excited to show the coaches what I can do," he said. The 6-foot-one, Michigan native was selected 45th overall in the second round by the Thrashers during this year’s draft. He will be joining the Thrashers next week in the prospect tournament in Traverse City.
Rangers veteran Tyler Randell is ready to play at The Aud on a different level. The Bruins prospect is already familiar with the playing field for this year’s camp; he’s played many games at The Aud with the Rangers. He is a little nervous about attending the camp as he knows that it is going to be very different from the Rangers camp. "It’s going to be a little jarring having to be at the bottom of the camp rather than the top," the sixth round, 176th overall pick said. "I’ve already met the team though, so that makes it a little easier." Randell admits that he is most looking forward to playing against teammate Robert Bortuzzo and the Pittsburgh Penguins. "That will be an interesting game. Instead of getting his assists, I will be blocking his shots."
Bortuzzo, already signed with the Penguins, knows what to expect from the prospects camp. "This will be my second time at the camp," the Rangers defenseman said. "I have a bit more of an advantage over some of the new prospects." The 20 year old blue-liner was selected 78th overall in the 3rd round of the 2007 Entry Draft and has played for three seasons with Kitchener. After the prospects camp, Bortuzzo will travel back to Pittsburgh for the team’s training camp, gaining a spot on the camps roster after signing a three year entry level NHL contract with the Penguins.
Catch the top draft picks from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins as they compete for a spot on their respective teams’ lineups.
Schedule:
Sunday September 6 7pm Pittsburgh vs. Toronto
Monday September 7 2pm Toronto vs. Boston
Monday September 7 7pm Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh
Wednesday September 9 2pm Ottawa vs. Boston
Wednesday September 9 7pm Toronto vs. Pittsburgh
Thursday September 10 2pm Boston vs. Pittsburgh
Thursday September 10 7pm Ottawa vs. Toronto
Tickets for all prospect camp games are available by phone at 519-578-1570 or 1-800-265-8977, via the internet at www.centre-square.com or in person at the Centre in the Square Box Office or the Kitchener Auditorium Box Office.
