Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2009
By Lucas Aykroyd
The world was a tumultuous place in 1979. The Iranian Revolution, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the Three Mile Island nuclear accident made headlines. But the annual NHL draft offered a ray of light for hockey fans with an unprecedented influx of talent, mostly from the […]

Originally published in the official 2009 World Junior Program
From the 19th century to the 21st, Ottawa’s hockey heritage is legendary
By Lucas Aykroyd
Even if it was just about checking birth certificates, Ottawa’s contribution to hockey history would be huge. Dozens of NHLers were born in the host city for the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, […]

Originally published in the official 2009 World Junior Program
Canada’s 1988 World Junior team reunites to celebrate its amazing run to gold
By Lucas Aykroyd
Many things have changed since 1988. Back then, Brian Mulroney was Canada’s Prime Minister, and pop artists like George Michael and Def Leppard ruled the charts.
However, memories of Canada’s heart-stirring gold medal run […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Gordie Howe never finished high school, and they might be the three greatest hockey players ever. So can major junior prospects afford to slack off with their education? No way. Only a few players go on to NHL careers that spawn nicknames […]

Originally published in Eishockey News in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Rexall Place offers superb skating conditions, but has also seen some great hockey history, courtesy of CHL products.
Historically, NHL players have hailed the ice in Edmonton as the league’s best. Since the 2007 debut of the expansion Edmonton Oil Kings, WHLers have also gotten the chance to […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Caring host families make a huge difference for young WHLers
When New York Rangers forward Scott Gomez was interviewed between periods on a recent Hockey Night in Canada telecast, the former Tri-City American made a point of saying hi to his billet family from his junior days.
This two-time […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
The Kitchener Rangers, the host team for the 2008 Memorial Cup, have produced too many notable NHLers to name. Here are 15 of the best.
Bill Barber: He scored 20-plus goals in each of his 11 NHL seasons and earned two Stanley Cups with the Philadelphia Flyers […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2008
By Lucas Aykroyd
Seven players have scored sudden-death Memorial Cup-winning goals, and it’s been their greatest hockey feat.
The only thing sweeter than winning a championship is doing it in overtime. Who can forget the image of Bobby Orr soaring through the air after scoring the OT winner for his Boston […]

Future Greats and Heartbreaks: A Year Undercover in the Secret World of NHL Scouts
By Gare Joyce
Published by Doubleday Canada
Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Gare Joyce is gradually becoming Canada’s answer to George Plimpton. No, the prolific Toronto-based hockey scribe hasn’t strapped on equipment and competed against pro athletes to garner first-hand material for his […]

OK, rivalling Sidney Crosby is probably a longshot. But playing versus men at age 15 in a national league is an achievement, even if it’s in New Zealand. Not to mention being a native-trained top prospect for national teams in multiple age groups.
So nice work, Jordan Challis (who’s also a former member of the Markham […]