The 2013 NHLPA Rookie Showcase, an annual event that has been held for the last five years, took place this week in Toronto.
"The event brings dozens of the NHL’s top prospective and rookie players to Toronto for a two-day experience that allows our trading card partners – Panini and Upper Deck – to gather photography and signatures that will be used in creating upcoming memorabilia items."
[NHLPA.com] The players invited to this years Rookie Showcase are listed below and as you will see, a member of the Blue Jackets was invited to the Showcase, Columbus’ own Boone Jenner. Here are the rest of the players…. Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado Avalanche), Tyler Biggs (Toronto Maple Leafs), Brendan Gallagher (Montreal Canadiens), Jonathan Drouin (Tampa Bay Lightning), Cory Conacher (Ottawa Senators), Bo Horvat (Vancouver Canucks), Sean Monahan (Calgary Flames), Malcolm Subban (Boston Bruins), Christian Thomas (Montreal Canadiens), Adam Clendening (Chicago Blackhawks), Mathew Dumba (Minnesota Wild), Mikhail Grigorenko (Buffalo Sabres), Tomas Hertl (San Jose Sharks), Boone Jenner (Columbus Blue Jackets), Nic Jensen (Vancouver Canucks), Danny Kristo (New York Rangers), Dylan McIlrath (New York Rangers), Mark McNeill (Chicago Blackhawks), Jon Merrill (New Jersey Devils), Petr Mrazek (Detroit Red Wings), Valeri Nichushkin (Dallas Stars), Tanner Pearson (Los Angeles Kings), Derrick Pouliot (Pittsburgh Penguins), Matt Puempel (Ottawa Senators), Ty Rattie (St. Louis Blues), Tom Wilson (Washington Capitals) [NHLPA.com] One might be wondering why a player like Ryan Murray was not invited to such an event. I myself was looking for him on the list, and then I read this from the NHLPA.comwebsite…
"Due to the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, this year’s Rookie Showcase has a unique chance to invite players from two Rookie Classes. Eight of this year’s Showcase attendees have had a first taste of NHL hockey, while the remainder have yet to make their NHL debuts."
Apr 9, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Ottawa Senators left wing Cory Conacher (89) during the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated thte Ottawa Senators 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Players like Cory Conacher, Mikhail Grigorenko, and Brendan Gallagher all had a chance to play in the NHL last season, and therefore were invited to this years showcase. If we see Ryan Murray in a Blue Jackets uniform this season, I am sure there is a good chance that Murray will be invited to the 2014 NHLPA Rookie Showcase next summer. The players that participated had an opportunity to get their photographs taken for the official trading card companies of the NHL, Panini America and Upper Deck, and also had the chance to sign memorabilia type products. There was some fun portions of the showcase as well, the rookies had a chance to play NHL 14, and even engaged in a tournament to see who the best gamer was. Tom Wilson, of the Washington Capitals, apparently was the clear winner of the contest, according to NHLPA.com. The second day of the showcase was mostly on the ice…
"The players suited up in their NHL team uniforms and were photographed doing a variety of poses and movements for both still and action shots. The action shots taken will be used for the players’ very first trading cards. Those cards will go to print as soon as the rookies play in their first NHL games."
Jan. 29, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko (25) watches from the bench during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
The day ended with the players dividing into teams and finally having a chance to play some hockey. The score was not mentioned in the article from NHLPA.com, as I am sure that the two goaltenders involved had that marked as classified information. It was mentioned though, and Sabres fans should be excited about this, that Mikhail Grigorenko won it on “an incredible shot”. [NHLPA.com]
Here is a look from behind the scenes…