The future of the Vancouver Canucks is at the South Surrey Arena tonight.
The National Hockey League team will divide its top youngsters into teams for a game at 7 p.m.
Looking at the roster, it will be more than just an exhibition pickup game. Top draft picks, players from major junior, the American Hockey League and East Coast League comprise the 39-man roster for the inter-squad clash.
Some names will be instantly recognizable to Canuck fanatics. Four players – Brandon Reid, Jason King, Mikko Jokela and goaltender Alex Auld – all saw limited action with the Canucks last year.
There are 13 players from the Manitoba Moose including Fedor Fedorov and Nathan Smith. Other notable players include top draft pick and Ohio State grad Ryan Kesler, the son of former coach of the year Ted Nolan, Oshawa General Brandon Nolan.
Local content will be provided by Surrey’s Conlan Seder of the Kamloops Blazers and Vancouver Giant tough guy Tristan Grant.
The Semiahmoo Minor Hockey Association will be staging a football-style tailgate party at the arena starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the Surrey Eagles office by phone at 604-531-GOAL (4625), at the Eagles office located at #202-1736 152 St., or at the Gulidford Town Centre service desk.
Partial proceeds from the event will go to Canuck Place and Semiahmoo Minor Hockey.
The prospects camp will culminate with a final game against the U.B.C. Thunderbirds at the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre, Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available through T-Bird athletics at 604-822-BIRD (2473).
