If you’re a hockey card collector, you’re fully aware that getting your hands on the rookie cards of the game’s best players is big business.
So, Upper Deck, which has a partnership with the NHL, likes to get a jump on things each year by inviting top prospects and rookies to a showcase day. It’s a chance for the company to capture photos and video to create rookie cards and for players to show off their on-ice skills against their peers.
According to Sammi Silber at The Hockey News – Washington, the 14th annual NHLPA Rookie Showcase is set for Wednesday, Sept. 4th at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia, with 33 NHL prospects and rookies scheduled to attend.
Like a stock trader, Upper Deck is in the speculation business for this event, so generally, only the players with a decent chance at NHL stardom are invited, and they seem to favour the ones with a chance to play in the league this season.
This year, according to the report, Zack Ostapchuk has the lone Ottawa Senator invitation this year.
Ostapchuk made a fantastic impression in his brief stint in Ottawa last season. He was held pointless in seven games, but he currently stands as one of the top candidates to take over for fourth-line centre Mark Kastelic, who was traded to the Boston Bruins in June.
Ostapchuk’s NHL debut in March was so impressive that interim head coach Jacques Martin threw him over the boards halfway through overtime, opposite Sidney Crosby. Ostapchuk intercepted a pass going to Crosby, who would have had a clear lane to the net. Ostapchuk then began the rush the other way that led to Drake Batherson’s game winning goal.
Like Kastelic before him, Ostapchuk is a former Western Hockey League star who also brings size and fighting ability. He and Ranger heavyweight Matt Rempe, who will also be at the showcase, got into it back in junior and Ostapchuk fared very well in the bout.
Last year, former first rounders Ridly Greig and Tyler Boucher attended the event. Greig had 26 points in his first full NHL season while Boucher ran into injuries again, derailing most of his season.
Some of this year’s showcase notables include Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov, Josh Doan, and Easton Cowan. Carter Yakemchuk, Ottawa’s seventh overall pick, is not on the list.
According to Silber, here is the showcase’s full list of attendees, subject to change:
Marek Alscher (Panthers), Lian Bichsel (Stars), Gavin Brindley (Blue Jackets), Seamus Casey (Devils), Macklin Celebrini (Sharks), Nikita Chibrikov (Jets), Easton Cowan (Maple Leafs), Nate Danielson (Red Wings), Josh Doan (Utah Hockey Club), Dalibor Dvorsky (Blues), Ivan Fedotov (Flyers), Cutter Gauthier (Ducks), Gage Goncalves (Lightning), Lane Hutson (Canadiens), Nikolai Kovalenko (Avalanche), Jonathan Lekkerimaki (Canucks), Artyom Levshunov (Blackhawks), Logan Mailloux (Canadiens), Matvei Michkov (Flyers), Ivan Miroshnichenko (Capitals), Logan Morrison (Kraken), Shakir Mukhamadullin (Sharks), Bradly Nadeau (Hurricanes), Frank Nazar (Blackhawks), Liam Ohgren (Wild), Zack Ostapchuk (Senators), Noah Ostlund (Sabres), Vasily Ponomarev (Penguins), Matt Rempe (Rangers), Olivier Rodrigue (Oilers), Will Smith (Sharks), Fedor Svechkov (Predators) and Akil Thomas (Kings).
Be sure to bookmark The Hockey News – Ottawa for more Senators coverage.
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