Hockey's Future Podcast

The U-18 World Junior Championship wraps up on Sunday with the gold medal game that features the USA vs. Sweden.  The game is a rematch of last year's gold medal game that was won by the U.S.  HF writer Chapin Landvogt is covering that tournament and provides his thoughts on both teams, including some thoughts on 2013 prospect, Seth Jones.

The U-18 World Junior Championship will be wrapping up on Sunday with the two medal games.  Hockey's Future previews the bronze medal game in this podcast, a game that features Canada vs. Finland.  HF writer Chapin Landvogt is in the Czech Republic for the tournament and provides his assessment of the bronze medal contest in this podcast.

For the second straight year and third time since the inception of the exceptional player status, a 15-year-old player has been granted entry into the OHL Priority Selection.  Connor McDavid, a forward for the Toronto Marlboros of the GTHL, will be eligible for the 2012 OHL Priority Selection, and could be chosen by the Erie Otters at that draft.  The announcement of McDavid's eligibility is the subject of this podcast, with the press conference being presented in full.

Talented defenseman Matt Dumba of the WHL's Red Deer Rebels is one of the top-rated defensemen for the 2012 NHL Draft.  He is taking part in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, BC where he'll have a further opportunity to impress the scouts taking in the game.  Dumba spoke with HF's Glen Erickson for this podcast.

The focus at CHL Top Prospect Games can sometimes be more focused on the forwards and defensemen taking part than is the case for the goaltenders.  But a goaltender with Brandon Whitney's size might be hard to ignore.  The Victoriaville Tigres netminder is one of the tallest players at the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, BC, which might help him catch the eye of the NHL scouts in attendance.  Whitney spoke with HF for this podcast. 

If an NHL team is looking for a power forward with some offensive ability, they could do worse than to select Belleville Bulls forward, Brendan Gaunce.  Gaunce's stock has risen steadily over the course of the 2011-12 season, to the point where he is one of the top forwards available in this draft.  His strong showing this season has landed him at the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game.  Gaunce spoke with HF at this event for this podcast.

Edmonton Oil Kings defenseman Griffin Reinhart is getting to do something his older brother, Max, didn't, namely playing in the Top Prospects Game.  Brother Max did play in a Memorial Cup, however, so Griffin still has other goals to shoot for.  The talented defenseman spoke with HF's Glen Erickson at the 2012 TPG for this podcast.

Guelph Storm forward Scott Kosmachuk is one of two Guelph players taking part in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, BC.  Kosmachuk has caught the eye of scouts with his high-energy style of play.  Kosmachuk spoke with HF's Glen Erickson at the TPG for this podcast.

If Lukas Sutter's last name looks familiar, it should if you are someone that has followed hockey for the past few decades.  Sutter is the son of former NHL forward Rich Sutter, who himself is one of the Sutter brothers that populated the NHL in the 70's and 80's.  Sutter is taking part in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game in Kelowna, BC.  He spoke with HF at this event for this podcast.

The 2012 NHL Draft class features several fine defensive prospects.  One of those defensemen, Matt Finn of the Guelph Storm, is taking part in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game.  Finn spoke with HF's Glen Erickson on gameday for this podcast.