3 WHL PLAYERS ADDED TO TOP PROSPECTS GAME

Press Release

Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League in association with the Western Hockey League Kelowna Rockets Hockey Club and Home Hardware Stores Limited today announced that three players have been added to rosters for the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played February 1 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, BC.

Mike Winther of the Prince Albert Raiders, and Tim Bozon of the Kamloops Blazers have been added to the Team Cherry roster while Branden Troock of the Seattle Thunderbirds will suit up for Team Orr. The three players replace Nail Yakupov of the Sarnia Sting, Jarrod Maidens of the Owen Sound Attack, and Matia Marcantuoni of the Kitchener Rangers who are all unable to participate due to injury.

Winther, an 18-year-old from Trochu, AB, is playing in his second WHL season with the Raiders. The 5’11’’, 170lb forward was ranked 26th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting in their recent midterm rankings. In 45 games so far this season he has 39 points including a team-high 22 goals.

Bozon, a 17-year-old rookie from Lugano, Switzerland, is ranked 39th by NHL Central Scouting. At 6’1’’, 178lbs, the Blazers’ forward is tied for first among WHL rookies in scoring with 22 goals and 22 assists for 44 points in 44 games.

Troock, a 17-year-old Edmonton, AB, native is playing in his first full WHL season with the Thunderbirds. The big 6’3’’, 203lb power forward has 14 points in 34 games so far this season and was ranked 90th by NHL Central Scouting in their midterm rankings for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

The 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is supported by title sponsor Home Hardware for the 13th straight year with associate sponsors Bank of Montreal, Subway, and CCM.

The game will be broadcast live to a national audience on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Quebec beginning at 7:00 pm Pacific and available online through Sportsnet 590 The FAN.


(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)