Before the preseason commences, fans of the Vancouver Canucks have the young stars tournament to look forward to, a mini-tournament among the NHL’s four Western Canadian franchises. The tournament starts on Friday, September 11th, and features some of hockey’s finest young talent, including wonder child and 2015 1st overall pick Connor McDavid. The Canucks full Young Stars roster can be found here.
Players to Watch at Canucks Young Stars Tournament
Cole Cassels – Centre – 20 years old
Cassels was selected in the 3rd round of the 2013 entry draft, and over the 2014-15 season, established himself as one of the Canucks premier prospects, and might just push for a roster spot in 2015-16. He is regarded as a two-way centre, and put up 30 goals and 81 points through 54 games with the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.
Hunter Shinkaruk – Left Wing – 20 years old
Shinkaruk, selected 24th overall in the 2013 entry draft, is a small but dynamic winger who had early struggles during his rookie AHL season last year, but finished strong to finish with 16 goals and 31 points in 74 games. While size and strength are concerns for the young forward, many believe he has a chance to crack the NHL this season, especially with concerns surrounding the Canucks’ team speed. If the Calgary native wants to make the big club, it’ll have to start with this tournament, so look for an extra motivated Shinkaruk throughout the Young Stars tournament.
Jordan Subban – Defense – 20 years old
Jordan Subban has excited Canucks fans over the past couple of years, demonstrating excellent offensive capabilities as well as a cannon of a shot, putting those skills to good use scoring 25 goals and 52 points in 63 games with Belleville in 2014-15. While size is definitely an issue for the youngest Subban brother, his skill set is enticing, and it will be interesting to see what he does at the tournament, as well as throughout his first full year of AHL hockey with the Utica Comets.
Jared McCann – Centre – 19 years old
During the World Junior summer showcase, Jared McCann, a centerman selected 24th overall in the 2014 entry draft by the Canucks, received a blow to the head courtesy of Russian defenceman Nikita Zhuldikov, knocking him out for the tournament. While they deemed it to be for merely precautionary reasons, it’s hard not to be concerned for the smallish McCann, especially considering that coming into main camp, he was vocal about having every intention of making the NHL roster in 2015-16. The young stars tournament will be our first look McCann since the hit, which took place in early August, and will be the first step in determining whether the top prospect is ready for the big leagues, whether that be due to the injury, or overall readiness for the NHL.
Jake Virtanen – Right Wing – 19 years old
Jake Virtanen, selected 6th overall in 2014, is the highest drafted Canucks prospect in recent memory, and also one of the most high profile, ranking solidly on NHL prospect rankings by both Hockey’s Future and The Hockey News, as well as playing a middle-six role on Canada’s gold medal winning 2015 World Juniors squad. It’s widely thought that Virtanen has a very realistic shot at making the Canucks, and the young stars tournament, in which the power winger will be one of the top players, is his first shot at leaving an impression on the Canucks coaching staff.
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