CALGARY, Alberta (October 2, 2013) – The Canadian Junior Hockey League will be well represented in the 2013-2014 NHL season with 145 alumni on team rosters for opening day. With three NHL games on Tuesday and one last night, it didn't take long for CJHL alumni to leave their mark on the new season.
In Chicago, four alumni joined the Blackhawks in raising the 2013 Stanley Cup banner in a special pre-game ceremony. BCHL alumnus Duncan Keith, one of those four alumni, went on to record an assist in Chicago’s victory over former AJHL goaltender Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals.
In the marquee game of opening day, three CJHL alumni picked up points in Toronto’s 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Tyler Bozak (BCHL) and Mason Raymond (AJHL) each scored on former BCHL goalie Carey Price. Cody Franson (BCHL) also recorded an assist for the Maple Leafs.
Winnipeg Jets Captain, Andrew Ladd, led his team to a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The former BCHL forward is in his third season as team captain. Oilers rookie and OJHL alumnus Luke Gazdic scored his first NHL goal for Edmonton, and Justin Schultz (BCHL) also tallied an assist for the Oilers in the game.
The Calgary Flames have the most CJHL alumni on their roster with 11, including Joe Colborne (AJHL) who was drafted 16th overall in 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Mark Giordano, who spent a season in the OJHL, was recently named the new Captain of the Flames. Ottawa's opening day roster includes forward Kyle Turris (BCHL), who is the highest ever-drafted CJHL player, taken third overall in 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's line-up will include former CCHL standout, Martin St. Louis, who was recently named captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and was the NHL's 2012-2013 leading scorer and Lady Byng winner.
A number of veteran Junior A players with over 200 CJHL games also found their way onto opening day rosters, including Jordie Benn (BCHL), Matt Irwin (BCHL), Mark Letestu (AJHL), and Tyler Bozak (BCHL).
In the shortened 2013 NHL Season, 129 CJHL alumni were listed on opening day rosters. That season saw five CJHL alumni win the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks – Patrick Sharp (CCHL), Duncan Keith (BCHL), Sheldon Brookbank (SJHL), Daniel Carcillo (OJHL), and Assistant GM Norm Maciver (OJHL).
Merritt Centennials alumni currently playing in the AHL include Scott Ford, Josh Caron, Wade MAcLeod, and Blair Riley.
Riley attended Training Camp with the Winnipeg Jets(NHL), after signing this summer as a Free Agent. He played last season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers(AHL), recording 15 points in 74 games.
MacLeod is ready to suit them back up after an injury shortened 2012/13 campaign with the AHL's Springfield Falcons and ECHL Evansville Icemen. He is now a part of the Toronto Marlies(AHL) organization after signing there this off season.
Caron played just 5 games as a Cent before a full career with the Kamloops BlazerS(WHL) and Everett Silvertips. He spent last season, his first in pro hockey, with the Orlando Solar Bears(ECHL) and Houston Aeros(AHL). This season, Caron will suit up with the Iowa Wild of the AHL.
Ford will return for his first full season in the Nashville Predators organization since returning to the Milwaukee Admirals late last season. He was the captain of the Admirals before being shipped to the St. Louis Blues, where he then served as the captain of the Peoria Rivermen(AHL). Ford was then traded back to Nashville in February, and has once again been assigned to lead the AHL club.
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The Merritt Centennials are proudly celebrating 40 seasons in 2013 as the BCHL's longest continuously run franchise; are a non-profit, community owned Junior 'A' Hockey Club run by a dedicated team of investors, directors and volunteers.
