Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd Winning one Memorial Cup is hard enough. So how about back-to-back titles? Since most major junior careers last only three or four seasons, the odds of “doing the double” are slim indeed for any player or team. “You have to consider the graduating factor,” says […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2004 By Lucas Aykroyd Hollywood movies like The Towering Inferno and Backdraft are as close as many of us ever come to confronting a fire raging out of control. But for the citizens of Kelowna, the sight of homes and forests ablaze became a terrifying reality in the late […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2004 By Lucas Aykroyd Today, North American fans are accustomed to watching Russian players strut their skills on this side of the Atlantic. But recently, some Canadian CHL graduates have reversed the trend by heading over to Russia. Few are better qualified to describe that experience than former goalie […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd Most hockey observers believe Corey Perry of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks has a bright future. But will the 6-3, 197-pound center give Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin a run for their money in the quest for NHL Rookie of the Year status? Or will he […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd In most areas of life, wasting time is not a virtue. If it’s your job to take out the garbage, wash the car, or finish a report, you’re just supposed to get on with it. However, in terms of succeeding while shorthanded, hockey coaches elevate […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Video game fans understand the concept of the bonus round. Over a short period of time, your character runs around collecting bonus points without endangering himself in any way. Well, that’s similar to what happens at the annual CHL Top Prospects game. “A bad performance […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2002 By Lucas Aykroyd When Shannon Szabados was born in 1986, seeing a female goalie play in a WHL game seemed about as likely as watching the Berlin Wall come down. But times have changed and doors have opened up both in society and hockey. Thanks to her skill […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2003 By Lucas Aykroyd Most Canadian hockey fans have fond memories of Maple Leaf magic on Moscow ice. Paul Henderson’s winning goal in Game Eight of the 1972 Summit Series remains a defining moment in our nation’s history. Jimmy Waite’s 38-save performance in a 3-2 victory over the Soviets […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2005 By Lucas Aykroyd Thirty years ago, nobody was a bigger deal in Ottawa than Peter Lee, except maybe Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Lee was named the 1975-76 Canadian Major Junior Player of the Year after tallying a then-OMJHL record 81 goals for the Ottawa 67s. Today, he remains […]

Originally published in Prospects Hockey in 2006 By Lucas Aykroyd Wayne Gretzky never got 100 goals in one major junior season. Neither did Mike Bossy, Joe Sakic, or Sidney Crosby. But Ray Ferraro, though less celebrated than those other forwards, potted 108 in 1983-84 with the Brandon Wheat Kings as a 19-year-old. Considering no one […]