March 19, 2024

NHL Prospects, Red Wings Hit TC

The hottest thing on ice hits Traverse City this month.
Sept. 7, 2014

Two hockey fan favorites – the National Hockey League Prospects Tournament and the Detroit Red Wings Training Camp – are taking over Centre Ice.

NHL PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT

The largest and longest running of its kind, the Prospects Tournament began in 1997 with just four teams and has grown into a scouting Mecca for teams from all over the U.S.

Eight teams of NHL prospects play in the four-day round-robin tourney: Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues.

Each team will bring about 50 staff and players along.

"It’s going to be great this year," says Ann Reeves, director of Red Wings events in Traverse City.

More than 150 professional scouts, team owners, and some NHL Hall of Famers are registered for Centre Ice’s Scouts Lounge, Reeves said.

"That represents two-thirds of all NHL clubs," she said.

New technology will also be on the ice. Quantum Pro Hockey is testing its new product, which keeps track of each player’s ice time.

Five teams – Detroit, Minnesota, Carolina, Columbus and Dallas – will use the devices, which keep accurate time of a player’s time on the ice, an important stat for coaches.

The tourney is not only a chance for players to show off their skills, but is also an opportunity for game officials to show their stuff.

"[They are] evaluated by various league’s officiating supervisors for advancement to their next tier," Reeves said.

The Prospects Tournament benefits not only the teams, fans, and players, but also the community, said Reeves.

"With 1,000 fans per day, plus 150 scouts, 400 team personnel, 100-plus media and guests spending money in our area, the whole community benefits," she said. "For the players, we are the gateway to the NHL with the scouting potential of the clubs and player agents on hand "¦ it’s the best of the best from everywhere."

Reeves said the ticket prices are "family friendly," with revenues supporting the nonprofit Centre Ice Arena.

RED WINGS TRAINING CAMP

The popular Detroit Red Wings Golf Classic at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa opens training camp on Sept. 18. There’s a shotgun start at 1pm with dinner following. Money raised is allocated by the Wings to the west end expansion project at Centre Ice Arena.

"[In the past,] this project afforded CIA two NHL-sized locker rooms, new fitness center restroom and shower areas, and two large rooms: a daycare center and the Scouts lounge," said Reeves.

The players and coaches hit the ice for morning practice and scrimmage sessions on Sept. 19 and 20. The second annual TC Alumni and Celebrity Game is on Sept. 20 at 7pm, with guests able to bid for players’ jerseys off their backs, with an autograph to boot.

"This game is a blast," said Reeves. "The winners of the auction will be able to meet their players immediately after the game and get the jersey right off their back. The player will autograph the jersey for the winner as well."

The Prospects Tournament Sept. 12-16 Sept. 12-16; no games Sept. 14. Four games per day; admission is $10 for all four games. Sept. 13: Bryan Rufenach Day, honoring a prospect with the Red Wings who died tragically in an accident in Switzerland in July 2012. His parents are expected to visit Traverse City for the event.

Red Wings Training Camp Sept. 19-21 Sept. 19 and 20: Practice/scrimmage; 9:30am Sept. 20: TC Alumni/Celebrity Game; 7:00pm Sept. 21: Red & White Game; noon

Visit centreice.org for a full schedule of game times and ticket information.

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