Stars Will Join a Group of 40 Draft-Eligible Prospects
December 13, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Lincoln Stars News Release
Lincoln, Neb. - Cayden Primeau and Eero Terî=A4vî=A4inen were named to the 2017 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be played on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Forty players from 16 USHL member clubs were selected by NHL general managers and scouts, NHL Central Scouting and USHL general managers. Each player is eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft to be held from June 23-24 in the United Center, home of the Chicago Blackhawks.
"Cayden and Eero have worked extremely hard to earn this honor," Stars General Manager Jon Hull said. "We are very happy for them to have this opportunity."
Primeau has posted a 6-5-2 record with a 3.13 GAA and .893 save percentage in his first USHL season. The 6'3" 179 pound Northeastern commit is a B-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting and participated in the USA Hockey/CCM All-American Prospects Game in September. He has represented the United States at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and the World Jr. A Challenge.
Terî=A4vî=A4inen has one goal and three assists through 20 games. The Finnish defenseman has a C rating from NHL Central Scouting in his first USHL season. He is committed to the University of Denver and has represented his country at the Five Nations Tournament, Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and the World U17 Hockey Challenge.
The USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is part of a two-day event that opens on Monday, Dec. 9 with on-ice and off-ice skills testing. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the players will participate in a skills competition before the main event. In the past three years, a total of 42 players have played in the USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game before being selected in the NHL Draft, including former Star Tanner Laczynski (Philadelphia Flyers).
"The development path from junior hockey to college hockey to the NHL continues to be validated each and every year," USHL President and Commissioner Bob Fallen said. "The USHL has produced 30 or more NHL Draft picks in four consecutive years, something only two other junior leagues in the world can say. The USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is a celebration for all of the youth organizations and the players they helped develop. Most of these players will go on to have very successful college hockey careers, and a select few will continue that success in the NHL."
"More eyes than ever will be on the USHL and Sioux Falls, S.D. as a record crowd eclipsing 8,000 fans is expected to attend, in addition to scouts from every NHL member club," Fallen said. "The elite players selected to play in this game have an extraordinary opportunity to put an exclamation point on what the league and hockey in the United States have become in recent years."
The forty players will be divided into Team East and Team West when the rosters are finalized at a later date.
For tickets and information regarding ticket packages for the 2016-2017 season call the box office at 402-474-7827 or log on to lincolnstars.com.
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