CJHL Alumni Open NHL Season with Goals, Assists, Captaincy and a Stanley Cup Ring
CALGARY, Alberta – The Canadian Junior Hockey League will be well represented in the 2013-2014 NHL season with 145 alumni on team rosters for opening day. With three NHL games last night, it didn't take long for CJHL alumni to leave their mark on the new season.
In Chicago, four alumni joined the Blackhawks in raising the 2013 Stanley Cup banner in a special pre-game ceremony. BCHL alumnus Duncan Keith, one of those four alumni, went on to record an assist in Chicago’s victory over former AJHL goaltender Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals.
In the marquee game of opening day, three CJHL alumni picked up points in Toronto’s 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Tyler Bozak (BCHL) and Mason Raymond (AJHL) each scored on former BCHL goalie Carey Price. Cody Franson (BCHL) also recorded an assist for the Maple Leafs.
Winnipeg Jets Captain, Andrew Ladd, led his team to a 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The former BCHL forward is in his third season as team captain. Oilers rookie and OJHL alumnus Luke Gazdic scored his first NHL goal for Edmonton, and Justin Schultz (BCHL) also tallied an assist for the Oilers in the game.
The Calgary Flames have the most CJHL alumni on their roster with 11, including Joe Colborne (AJHL) who was drafted 16th overall in 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Mark Giordano, who spent a season in the OJHL, was recently named the new Captain of the Flames. Ottawa's opening day roster includes forward Kyle Turris (BCHL), who is the highest ever-drafted CJHL player, taken 3rd overall in 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay's line-up will include former CCHL standout, Martin St. Louis, who was recently named captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and was the NHL's 2012-2013 leading scorer and Lady Bing winner.
A number of veteran Junior A players with over 200 CJHL games also found their way onto opening day rosters, including Jordie Benn (BCHL), Matt Irwin (BCHL), Mark Letestu (AJHL), and Tyler Bozak (BCHL).
In the shortened 2013 NHL Season, 129 CJHL alumni were listed on opening day rosters. That season saw five CJHL alumni win the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks – Patrick Sharp (CCHL), Duncan Keith (BCHL), Sheldon Brookbank (SJHL), Daniel Carcillo (OJHL), and Assistant GM Norm Maciver (OJHL).