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Sports Editorial: Speers makes case for prospects game

The Canadian Hockey League announced the rosters for the annual Top Prospects Game on Wednesday morning.

The Canadian Hockey League announced the rosters for the annual Top Prospects Game on Wednesday morning.

The game brings together 40 of the top NHL draft prospects from around the Canadian Hockey League for one game and the group is selected by members of the 30 NHL teams.

The 2015 event will feature some of the drafts top prospects, including Erie Otters forwards Dylan Strome and Connor McDavid as well as Kingston Frontenacs forward Lawson Crouse and London Knights forward Mitchell Marner.

A familiar name to Soo Greyhounds fans was not included among the 40 players.

With just 40 spots available, Greyhounds sophomore forward Blake Speers wasn’t among those named to play in the game.

As much as making a case for whose roster spot Speers would get, his credentials this season make it tough to leave him on the outside looking in.

One would have to think that if injuries arise and one of the current players in the game can’t play, Speers would be one of the first players called upon as a replacement.

The 17-year-old forward is on pace to eclipse his solid offensive totals from his rookie season.

After scoring 19 goals and 40 points in 62 games in 2013-14, Speers will soon eclipse those totals. Through 28 games this season, Speers has 16 goals and 36 points. His 20 assists are one short of his total from a season ago.

Exactly how good has Speers been this season?

Only three draft eligible OHL players have more points than the Sault Ste. Marie native this season.

Strome and Marner currently occupy the top two spots in the OHL scoring race with 62 and 61 points respectively while McDavid is the other with 51 points in just 18 games.

Speers is also among the OHL’s top 20 scorers this season.

(File Photo: Soo Greyhounds forward Blake Speers. Kenneth Armstrong/SooToday)


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Brad Coccimiglio

About the Author: Brad Coccimiglio

A graduate of Loyalist College’s Sports Journalism program, Brad Coccimiglio’s work has appeared in The Hockey News as well as online at FoxSports.com in addition to regular freelance work with SooToday before joining the team full time.
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