Top prospects will play in Niagara

The Niagara Icedogs will host the 20th edition of the CHL-NHL top prospects game this coming January. The newly-constructed Meridian Centre in St. Catharines is almost ready to open it’s doors.

17 of the players chosen in the first round of this year’s NHL draft — including first overall pick, Aaron Ekblad — played in the last BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. And on Thursday, January 22nd, the city of St. Catharines will play host to this prestigious competition of future stars.

CHL President David Branch: “This is one of the CHL’s premiere events. It’s become maybe the most important event by those players of draft age of that given season.”

It’s a dream come true for Icedogs owner Bill Burke, who fought tirelessly to have the Meridian Centre built.

Former Icedogs like Dougie Hamilton and Ryan Strome — a pair of top ten picks from the 2011 draft — have both appeared in this showcase of junior talent — and Burke says there are many more icedogs to come: “You know I think we’ll have Graham Knott, Vince Dunn and Hayden McCool for sure. It’s exciting for us to host with them playing.”

“With construction now in it’s final stages, the Meridian Centre will be able to seat up to 53-hundred hockey fans when the doors finally open in September.”

Tickets for the top prospects game go on sale August first, with preference given to Icedogs’ season ticket holders.

Justine Fedak is Senior V.P. Of BMO Sponsorships: “This is about Canadian families. The elite players getting drafted, these are the hopes and dreams of Canadians and it’s gonna happen right here in St. Catharines, minutes down the road from Hamilton.”