Border Battle Showcase at Compuware
Photo – Plymout Whalers rookie forward Nicholas Caamano played Minor Midget for the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs – one of the 12 teams that will be competing in the showcase.
Friday November 14, 2014
PLYMOUTH – Fans looking to discover the future stars of the Ontario Hockey League are in for a treat at Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MI this weekend.
The High Performance Hockey League – in association with Compuware Arena – announces the “Border Battle” Midget Minor Hockey Showcase, with games from Friday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 16.
In the showcase, midget-minor teams of the High Performance Hockey League – Compuware, Chicago Mission, Team Illinois, Honeybaked and Little Caesars – take on Canadian rivals London Jr. Knights, Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs, Hamilton Huskies, Southern Tier Admirals, Toronto Marlies and Toronto Jr. Canadiens.
There is no charge for fans who want to watch the showcase.
Scouts from all 20 OHL teams – along with a healthy contingent of National Hockey League scouts – are expected to be in attendance.
In addition to the action on the ice, The Ontario Hockey League will be holding seminars and chat session for the players and their parents.
“The Ontario Hockey League is very pleased and excited to work closely with the HPHL on the inaugural Battle of the Border,” said Joe Birch, Senior Director of Hockey Development & Special Events for the Ontario Hockey League. “This exhibition weekend will provide all participating players the opportunity to play against teams that they may not see otherwise during a regular season.
“In addition, we are looking forward to hosting information seminars for all HPHL players and families as to provide them additional information regarding the opportunity that the OHL provides to players by way of student-athletes, player development and player environment.”
In the middle of the tournament, the OHL’s Plymouth Whalers host the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds on Saturday at 7:05 pm at Compuware Arena. Tickets run $12 and $16 and can be purchased by calling (734) 453-8400.
“It will be a busy weekend, but a great hockey weekend,” Compuware Arena Vice President and Manager Mike Henry. “We’re looking forward to it. The fans are going to see some excellent players, many who are going to be playing in the OHL sooner than later.”
All 12 teams have a history of graduating players to the Ontario Hockey League, including current Whalers Tyler Sensky (Compuware and Honeybaked) and Nicholas Caamano (Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs) and Plymouth alumni Ryan Hartman (Chicago Mission), and Tom Wilson (Toronto Jr. Canadiens).
In addition, the following players from the teams appearing in the Border Battle were selected in the first round of the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection – first overall pick Jakub Chychrun (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) by Sarnia; third overall pick Travis Barron (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) by Ottawa; fourth overall pick Brandon Saigeon (Hamilton Jr Bulldogs) by Belleville, eighth overall pick Victor Mete (Toronto Jr. Canadiens) by Owen Sound and traded to London; 15th overall pick Regan O’Grady (Toronto Marlies), by Kingston; 16th overall pick Cliff Pu (Toronto Marlies), by Oshawa; and 18th overall pick Max Jones (Honeybaked), by London.
