WHL Tri-City Americans

Pickard, Nachbaur Selected to CHL Top Prospects Game

Published on January 9, 2008 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Tri-City Americans News Release


KENNEWICK, WA - The Canadian Hockey League announced today that Tri-City Americans goaltender Chet Pickard has been selected to participate in the 2008 CHL/NHL Home Hardware Top Prospects Game and Skills Competition. The annual competition, to be held at Edmonton's Rexall Place over January 22nd and 23rd this year, showcases the top draft-eligible players from the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The 6'3, 200 lb Winnipeg, MB-native, will join 39 other top prospects at the two-day event, which features the annual Top Prospects game, as well as a skills competition. Pickard, who is currently the top North American goaltending prospect in the Central Scouting Services' mid-season rankings, is 24-7-1-1 for Tri-City this season, while boasting a 2.55 goals against average and a 0.911 save percentage.

"The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a major event where scouts can see all the premier, draft-eligible players in Major Junior hockey compete head-to-head," said NHL Central Scouting Director, EJ McGuire. "This year again promises an opportunity for players to showcase their talent to all NHL scouts with the ultimate goal of making the jump into the NHL, as Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers did last year..."

Pickard, who attended Hockey Canada's goaltending camp earlier this year, is one of 13 players selected to the competition from the WHL. Pickard will compete on Team Red, along with current-WHLer's James Wright (Vancouver), Geordie Wudrick (Swift Current), Jordan Eberle (Regina), Colten Teubert (Regina), Luca Sbisa (Lethbridge) and Jyri Niemi (Saskatoon).

"Chet has established himself as a premier goaltender in the WHL," stated Americans Governor/General Manager Bob Tory. "It is a testament to his work ethic, attitude and character."

As an additional honor, Tri-City Americans Head Coach Don Nachbaur has been asked to be an honorary coach at the Top Prospects Game. Earlier this season, Nachbaur, Tri-City's longest-tenured head coach, reached the 350-win mark for his WHL career.

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