The Jackets will take part in their 13th consecutive Traverse City prospects tournament, which begins September 12 in Traverse City, Michigan. The Jackets last won the tourny in 2007.
This tournament marks the unofficial start to training camp, with eight NHL teans sending their best and brightest (non-NCAA) prospects to Michigan. The Jackets will be in the Gordie Howe Division (nice!) with the Red Wings, Wild and Blues, while the Sabres, Hurricanes, Stars and Rangers will make up the Ted Lindsay Division.
Each team plays their division foes once, with the teams finishing first in their respective divisions facing eachother for the championship, the second place teams playing for third, and so on. The Jackets play the Wild on Friday, September 12th, the Red Wings on Saturday the 13th, and the Blues on the 15th. The final games are all played on Tuesday the 16th.
The Jackets will be coached by the Springfield Falcons coaching staff, assisted by CBJ development coach Chris Clark.
The Columbus squad will have serious star power, with this year’s top pick Sonny Milano joined by the three first rounders from last June- Alexander Wennberg, Kerby Rychel and Marko Dano.
Full roster of Columbus prospects:
| LEFT WING | CENTER | RIGHT WING |
| Sonny Milano | Alexander Wennberg | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| Kerby Rychel | Marko Dano | Josh Anderson |
| Julien Pelletier | Lukas Sedlak | Markus Soberg |
| T.J. Tynan | Nick Moutrey | |
| Peter Quenneville |
| DEFENSEMEN |
| Dillon Heatherington |
| Thomas Larkin |
| Austin Madaisky |
| Olivier Leblanc |
| Blake Siebenaler |
| GOALTENDERS |
| Anton Forsberg |
| Oscar Dansk |
The forwards are by far the team’s strength. There’s a great mix of high-end skill players, two-way forwards, and guys who play with grit and an edge. The defense is led by relative veterans Larkin and Madaisky (who are trying to make a late impression on the organization), while Heatherington is perhaps the team’s top defense prospect not named Mike Reilly. The goaltending tandem is the duo penciled in as the Springfield goalies for this upcoming season.
It’s common for the teams in this tournament to invite undrafted free agents to help fill out the rosters and to potentially strike gold on a diamond in the rough. There have been two notable players in the past that have made strong impressions in Traverse City, earning an invite to main training camp, and eventually, an NHL contract. Remember Geoff Platt and Oliver Gabriel? Though these players didn’t go on to be productive NHLers, the potential to unearth a gem is always there.
Here’s a look at the invites:
Forwards:
Mike DiPaolo
6’4″, 209lbs
Age: 20
Brantford, Ontario
After joining the Q, became one of the most feared fighters while a member of the Charlottetown Islanders.
Kyle Hope
6’2″, 196lbs
Age: 21
Blenheim, Ontario
Just finished a long junior career, put up classic late-blooming overage stats. PIMs indicate he plays with an edge.
Defensemen:
Isaac Mcleod
6’5″, 212lbs
Age: 22
Nelson, British Columbia
A former Sharks draft pick in 2010, he just completed his collegiate career at Boston College. BIG KID.
Marcus McIvor
6’1″, 231lbs
Age: 20
Whitby, Ontario
Recent graduate of Brampton/North Bay Battalion of the OHL. Known as a shutdown defenseman, went undrafted.
Kevin Ryan
6’2″, 190lbs
Age: 24
Buffalo, New York
Just completed his collegiate career with Niagara. Will be the oldest player for the Jackets at the tournament. Stats show he has some offensive ability.
Nick Walters
6’2″, 203lbs
Age: 20
St. Albert, Alberta
Recent completed junior career. Split last season between Brandon and Lethbridge. Former pick of the Blues.
The Jackets certainly have the roster to win this tournament, and as is the case every year, this tournament serves as a way to get the hockey juices flowing for fans. The Jackets open up main camp on Thursday, 16 September.