Dec 14, 2022; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Elmer Soderblom (85) carries the puck during the third period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
2023 Traverse City Prospect Tournament Preview
The puck drops Thursday on the Red Wings' annual Traverse City Prospect Tournament at Centre Ice Arena and will run through Sunday. This year's four-team field features the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Wings' social media channels will stream the games. Here's what you need to know to get yourself ready.
The Schedule
Thursday 9/14:
Columbus vs. Toronto, 3:30 PM; Detroit vs. Dallas, 6:30 PM
Friday 9/15:
Dallas vs. Toronto, 6:30 PM
Saturday 9/16:
Detroit vs. Columbus, 3:30 PM
Sunday, 9/17:
Columbus vs. Dallas, 11 AM; Toronto vs. Detroit, 2 PM
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The Field
Of Detroit's three opponents, only Columbus has formalized its roster for the event. The Blue Jackets intend to bring a star-studded sampling of their prospect pool, most notably their four most recent first round picks. That includes Adam Fantilli (3rd overall, 2023), David Jiricek (6th overall, 2022), Denton Mateychuk (12th overall, 2022), and Corson Ceulemans (25th overall, 2021).
Amongst that number, Fantilli is an obvious standout after a Hobey Baker-winning campaign as an 18-year-old freshman for the University of Michigan a year ago. Boasting a devastating blend of power and skill, Fantilli will look to continue his run of dominance against the assembled field in Traverse City.
Toronto's potential headlining prospects include Finnish center Roni Hirvanen (a 2020 second rounder), center Fraser Minten (a 2022 second from the WHL's Kamloops Blazers), and perhaps even Matthew Knies (a 2021 2nd). Knies made a cameo with the Leafs last spring to great acclaim after his season with the University of Minnesota concluded. With that taste of NHL success already to his name, Knies may be an unlikely addition to the squad Toronto sends to the event.
Finally, Dallas' top prospects include Logan Stankoven (a 2021 second), Mavrik Bourque (a 2020 first), and Lian Bischel (a 2022 first). Stankoven is probably the Star prospect most likely to crack the NHL roster out of training camp and, as such, could be keen to make a convincing impression in Traverse City. Meanwhile, the Swiss-born Bischel, who has spent the last two seasons with the Swedish club Leksands, signed his ELC in May and will begin his North American career this season.
The Wings
Like Columbus, Detroit has announced its roster for the tournament and intends to bring a robust sampling of its top prospects.
Not all of the top picks from the 2023 Draft will play (neither Axel Sandin-Pellikka, nor Trey Augustine), but Nate Danielson will be among the Red Wing delegation. He will be joined by two other first round picks in Sebastian Cossa and Marco Kasper.
As a member of Detroit's 2019 draft class, Elmer Soderblom will be among the most veteran players at the event. Elsewhere, Carter Mazur and Amadeus Lombardi will be look to build on their strong performances at development camp in July as they look to start their '23-24 campaigns on the right foot.
Meanwhile, William Wallinder (who did not attend development camp) will be manning the blue line for Detroit, as he continues his acclimatization process to the North American game. Wallinder spent most of last season with Rogle in the SHL before a one-game cameo in Grand Rapids to close out his year.
On the whole, it should be an exciting week in Traverse City and a welcome return to (fairly) competitive hockey after a long summer.
The Hockey News
