Hockey will be back before you know it: The 2018 Traverse City Prospects Tournament is only a few weeks away, scheduled for September 7-11. And one Dallas Stars draftee will stand out just by being there.
Just about everyone knows that Kamloops Blazers forward Jermaine Loewen is the first Jamaican-born player to be drafted by the NHL, but it’s a great story that bears retelling. Jeff Allen of NHL.com talked with just-retired Kamloops coach Don Hay about a junior career defined by marked improvement every season:
Hay said Loewen has become increasingly comfortable with playing at the net and taking advantage of his size (6-foot-4, 216 pounds). “He’s a big dude and a hard guy to handle down low,” he said.
Asked to compare Loewen to a current NHL player, Hay mentioned Edmonton Oilers forward Milan Lucic.
”Milan worked hard to improve himself and made the NHL at 19,” Hay said. “He forced people to notice him. Jermaine has some traits like that.”
There’s much more at the big site. [NHL]
Unsurprisingly, John Klingberg is already being a good teammate.
What a privilege to have Jermaine in our organization. Can’t wait to meet you. https://t.co/TjN0Zwg4tb
— John Klingberg (@johnklingberg) August 13, 2018
Stars Stuff
Set your watches, because single-game tickets go on sale today.
Single game tickets go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 15. at 10 AM CT. 📅
Get yours a day EARLY by signing up for our Stars Insider e-newsletter. You’ll have first dibs on the best seats at the best prices. https://t.co/ll4jGBzcu7
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) August 9, 2018
What has Devin Shore been doing right, and where can different usage help his game? Sean Shapiro takes a long look in the film room.
Film Room: Making sense of Devin Shore’s game and finding a proper role with the Stars https://t.co/qdjnfiOBOc
— Sean Shapiro (@seanshapiro) August 13, 2018
You know you want to follow Stephen Johns around his hometown, especially when it has a badass name like Wampum.
There’s an NHL mascot open skate today at StarCenter Frisco. It’s totally free, unless Ringo the Ringtail sells you the freshman pass to use the pool on the second floor.
!!THIS JUST IN!!
The BEST mascot in the AHL will be headlining the NHL mascot open skate. I expect that there will now be a LARGE spike in attendance so after the first 5000 fans, we will be charging a $5 admission fee.
You can submit payment to my personal Venmo and/or Paypal. pic.twitter.com/l8Zank5L4J
— Ringo the Ringtail (@TXStarsRingo) August 14, 2018
Around the League(s)
Ryan Ellis just got the John Klingberg deal. The Nashville Predators signed the blueliner to an eight-year, $50 million extension.
Ryan Ellis will be sticking with the Predators on a long-term, team-friendly extension https://t.co/bTx7vuhdMd
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) August 15, 2018
Elsewhere, Edmonton Oilers D-man Andrej Sekera had Achilles tendon surgery yesterday, and his long-term absence could leave the team struggling to fill out its top four.
The #Oilers have a gaping hole on their roster right now, and who knows what to expect from Andrej Sekera in the future? (@SportsnetSpec)https://t.co/Gixyo72hmd
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 14, 2018
If you remember Corey Hirsch’s groundbreaking Players’ Tribune piece on his battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder, read Ben Meisner’s perspective on how mental illness can be magnified when you’re in the minor leagues and in constant survival mode.
“I just had to take that one last step and it all would’ve been over. The end. You wouldn’t have heard about it, either.”
He’s not famous. He’s not in the NHL. You don’t know his name. But goalie Ben Meisner’s story of struggle and survival is real. https://t.co/ppk0sj3YlH
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) August 14, 2018
Third-jersey alert: The Vancouver Canucks are bringing back a classic for their 50th anniversary.
Oh yes. They’re coming back in 2019-20. 😍 https://t.co/ZJBibIADZM https://t.co/MaZR9l9p2t
— NHL (@NHL) August 14, 2018
Speaking of the classics, will a techno remix of “Brass Bonanza” be the Carolina Hurricanes’ new goal song? [NHL]
Matt Larkin picks five players to come out fighting in 2018-2019, from Dougie Hamilton to Filip Zadina.
Which players enter 2018-19 with the most to prove? @THNMattLarkin‘s chip-on-the-shoulder top five: https://t.co/Hgmchf9tgm pic.twitter.com/1PysEg5PRG
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) August 14, 2018
Also at THN: Because it’s never too early to talk about the next NHL Draft, Ryan Kennedy sizes up the remaining Hughes brothers, and others.
Prospect Need to Know: @THNRyanKennedy goes deep on phenoms, from Jack Hughes to Connor Bedard https://t.co/uP76BpZpN5
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) August 15, 2018
Finally
John Klingberg was born in August just to get you – yeah, you – through the longest stretch of offseason doldrums. Happy birthday, Klinger. Enjoy.
Happy birthday, @johnklingberg! 🎉🎁 pic.twitter.com/8u5fsVAh6F
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) August 14, 2018