NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck makes a pass during Team CHL's practice Monday at Calgary's Winsport Arena ahead of the CHL USA Prospect Challenge in Calgary on Tuesday and Lethbridge on Wednesday.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com
CALGARY
The CHL USA Prospects Challenge got underway Monday with the teams lone practice before the pair of games begin.
Both Team CHL and the U.S. National Under-18 Team practised Monday at Calgary’s Winsport Arena ahead of the first of the two-game series, Tuesday at Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome.
Medicine Hat Tigers head coach Willie Desjardins will serve as head coach of Team CHL, he got his first in-person look at his team during the skate.
“There’s lots of talent, it’s always fun for a coach when you get to work with that kind of talent,” Desjardins said. “So it was good, for the guys they just wanted to get out and get together a little bit. So I thought it was a good start.”
He says the U.S. National team has the advantage of playing with one another all season, something the CHL team looks to make up for via video work.
“They’ve had a lot, lot more structure and system stuff than us,” Desjardins said. “For us, we’re going to have to learn a little bit out of video on that. And the quicker we can learn that, the better we’re going to be. But they’ll certainly have an advantage on the system stuff.”
The CHL roster boasts nine WHLers, including Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck who was named as a late add due to an injury to Brooks Rogowski of the OHL’s Oshawa Generals. The 17-year-old enjoyed his first look at his new team and says he’s looking forward to the two-game challenge.
“Obviously a lot of skilled guys out there, so just being out there with all those guys it was awesome, I enjoyed that experience,” Ruck said.
“It was just fun being out there.”
The Osoyoos, B.C. product is coming off a stretch of four games in five nights where the Tigers recorded three wins, picking up seven of a possible eight points. He’s been focused on his recovery from the busy week to ensure he’s ready for the games.
“He’s played four and five nights, so he’s tired, that’s a hard for a lot of guys coming in,” Desjardins said. “Maybe some guys didn’t play four and five, but they had to travel. So energy is going to be important for him. He’s just smart, he’s just got to play his game. He’s got it, you just have to play his game, because he’s a smart player.”
Ruck will face another challenge during the week, not having older twin brother Markus alongside him in the lineup. Since starting the sport, the pair have played on the same team and other than a few shifts here and there, have always been on the same line.
Markus leads the Tigers in scoring with six goals and 27 points in 25 games, notching the game winner Sunday in the Tigers’ 3-2 overtime win at Calgary over the Hitmen. Liam is just three points back of his brother, with eight goals and 24 points in 25 games. Both received B-Grades in NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary players to watch list in October.
“It’s gonna be different being without him,” Liam said. “But this team’s full skilled players, so I’m gonna be playing with a good player whoever I’m playing with, so that’s going to be a good opportunity and I’m ready for that.”
The WHL’s leading scorer JP Hurlbert is in his first WHL season with the Kamloops Blazers, making the move from the USHL as a result of the NCAA changing their eligibility rules in regards to junior hockey players. The Allen, Texas product leads the WHL with 18 goals and 44 points in 25 games and was just named the WHL’s player of the week for the second time this season. He says the early success has come through confidence in himself and his game.
“The team has been a huge part of that and the coaching staff’s been super supportive, that’s a big thing,” Hurlbert said.
Kelowna Rockets goaltender Harrison Boettiger is in a unique position in the Prospects Challenge, having played for the US U18 team last year and now representing the CHL against his former team. The 17-year-old is enjoying the early experience of getting to see both sides.
“To be able to experience being in my home country and then playing in one of the best leagues in the world, and being able to represent both of them at the highest stage,” Boettiger said. “It’s nothing but honour and it’s something I’m really thankful for.”
Boettiger was named the WHL’s goalie of the week ahead of the CHL Challenge. In 10 games this season he has a 5-2-2 record with a 2.37 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.
Team CHL donned a retro look on the chest of their practice jerseys Monday, as the CHL celebrates its 50th season. They’ll wear similar jerseys in the games Tuesday and Wednesday. The logo is the one used by the CHL from 1986-1996.
“Whenever you can reflect on your history, I think it’s great,” Desjardins said.
The second game of the CHL USA Prospects Challenge is Wednesday in Lethbridge. Puck drop for both games is 6 p.m. MST and can be watched on TSN.
