1. RW - JEREMY WILLIAMS
Well, it has finally happened, and all it took was 11 short months! The PP's petition to get Jeremy Williams out of Toronto has worked! On July 6th, Jeremy was signed by the Detroit Red Wings, ending his "back and fourth" career between the Maple Leafs and their minor club affiliate. With young, skilled, and quick players like Jeremy Williams and Darren Helm on the rise in Detroit, they look to remain competitive each year. Now, they just have a little more Saskatchewan flavour on the team. Great signing!
2. LW - TRAVIS MOEN
Only 2 short years after Travis Moen helped the Anaheim ducks to their first Sta
nley Cup, Travis Moen was shipped to San Jose at the trade deadline, and although the Sharks finished with the President's Trophy, Moen's season ended with a disappointing first round exit. Since then, however, Moen has returned north of the border, signing a contract with the Montréal Canadiens. He brings a certain level of Saskatchewan grit to a team who had little of it last season.3. C - RILEY ARMSTRONG
On July 2nd, the Calgary Flames signed Lloydminste
r native Riley Armstrong. Last season, Armstrong spent the majority of the year with San Jose's minor league affiliate. Riley will most likely be starting the season with the Flames AHL squad. An interesting side note - Riley is the younger brother of Colby Armstrong, who also signed a contract extension with the Atlanta Thrashers on July 16. Even more interesting, was on the same day, the Flames also signed veteran, and Regina native Garth Murray, which continues a trend that we are seeing in Calgary, constantly being a team that showcases Saskatchewan talent.June is also a time for the NHL Entry draft, and as no huge surprise, the New York Islanders drafted London Knights' centre John Tavares first overall, followed by Defenseman Victor Hedman, Centre Matt Duchene, and Centre Evander Kane.
For the 2nd consecutive year, a member of the Schenn family,
native of Saskatoon, SK. has been drafted 5th overall in the NHL draft. Last year, of course, PP favourite Luke Schenn was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs. This year, The Los Angeles Kings added Luke's younger brother, Centre Brayden Schenn.
Also going in the top 10 was Spokane Chiefs defenseman Jared Cowen, who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators....Wait, didn't we predict that months ago??? Cowen, a native of Allan, SK. will be an excellent addition to a Senators club that needs to get back on track.
And if you thought 2 SK born players in the first round last year was great (Jordan Eberle and Luke Schenn), this year, 3 SK born players were drafted in the first round. The Tampa Bay Lightning added Forward Carter Ashton to join young SK up and coming star goaltender Dustin Tokarski.
Last but not least, the PrairiePuck would like to extend its congratulations to Regina native, and Pittsburgh forward Chris Kunitz, who was the only Saskatchewan-born player in the Stanley Cup finals, and has won his second title in only 3 years.
For the 2nd consecutive year, a member of the Schenn family,
native of Saskatoon, SK. has been drafted 5th overall in the NHL draft. Last year, of course, PP favourite Luke Schenn was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs. This year, The Los Angeles Kings added Luke's younger brother, Centre Brayden Schenn.
Also going in the top 10 was Spokane Chiefs defenseman Jared Cowen, who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators....Wait, didn't we predict that months ago??? Cowen, a native of Allan, SK. will be an excellent addition to a Senators club that needs to get back on track.And if you thought 2 SK born players in the first round last year was great (Jordan Eberle and Luke Schenn), this year, 3 SK born players were drafted in the first round. The Tampa Bay Lightning added Forward Carter Ashton to join young SK up and coming star goaltender Dustin Tokarski.
Last but not least, the PrairiePuck would like to extend its congratulations to Regina native, and Pittsburgh forward Chris Kunitz, who was the only Saskatchewan-born player in the Stanley Cup finals, and has won his second title in only 3 years.
PP
