Just a refresher on what we're all about, or what I'm all about, here at board play. This is a hockey blog first and foremost, with a focus on the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche. That said, because I am extremely knowledgeable (read: opinionated) this blog will also cover various goings on in the hockey world at large. That includes junior hockey, which I follow very closely, with a focus on draft-eligible prospects.
It's a bit of a dead zone for hockey right now, sadly. All is not completely quiet on the hockey front, however. The Penticton rookie tournament is fast approaching (though I wish it would approach, well, faster) and training camps will follow. Training camps are where some of the most fascinating battles of the year are waged, and this year will be no different. Both my favourite teams have open roster spots in their top 9 forwards for which youngsters and veterans alike will compete, with Winnipeg having the slightly more intriguing battles of the two.
Junior hockey isn't far off either, with the start of the season now about three weeks away and many exhibition schedules having already started. The Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament recently wrapped up with Canada winning it's eighth straight gold. This tournament is a complete reversal of the U18 World Championships in spring, as Canada tends to send its best players (since none of them are in the midst of playoff runs) while the Americans do not. That's a shame. It would be nice to see the best of the USNTDP (United States National Team Development Program) send their best against ours.
Just a brief, re-introductory post this week ladies and gents. When the NHL gets started and hockey is in full swing once again, I'll have more material for this blog than I know what to do with. Until then, keep those skates sharp!
