Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.
It's been a pretty good start to the season for Michigan. The Wolverines took care of business on the road last weekend, sweeping Lake Superior State (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) to open their Central Collegiate Hockey Association schedule.
Even though junior star Louie Caporusso (NHL rights: Ottawa) has just one goal in the Wolverines' first six games, Michigan has gotten early contributions from a highly-touted freshman.
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.
Two big stories emerged from a Western Collegiate Hockey Association weekend series at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Unfortunately, most college hockey followers only know about one of them. While everyone is well aware of the early-season struggles of Minnesota (0-3-1 record, three goals scored in four games, and all three losses have been shutouts), they've probably dismissed the accomplishments of the Denver goalie who held the Gophers off the board for 120 minutes.
When he's not pursuing his goal of becoming the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft, 17-year-old Kirill Kabanov helps out with renovations on the home of his host family in Moncton, New Brunswick.
"They treat me like a son," Kabanov said of his billets. "I want to help out any way I can. This is my home."
It will likely be for just one year. The super-skilled left wing is a certain top-10 pick in the draft next June. His decision to move from his native Russia to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season has elevated his already-lofty status in the NHL scouting community.
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.
Last year, he was vilified. Fans wanted to run him out of college hockey. Instead of finishing his sophomore season at Michigan State, forward Corey Tropp (NHL rights: Buffalo) found himself looking for a place to play hockey. A vicious assault of Michigan's Steve Kampfer (Anaheim) got Tropp suspended by the school for the rest of the season. What's happened since is a great story of redemption.
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.
As the college hockey season gets underway, freshmen are often just trying to get some game experience and adjust to the speed of the college game, which is much different than the high school, prep school, or junior team they came from.
For North Dakota forward Mike Cichy (NHL rights: Montreal), you couldn't have scripted a better start to his college career.
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.
Last year, we scoured the 58 Division I hockey schools for the best players we could find. As the 2009-2010 season gets underway this weekend, and Boston University tries to defend their dramatically-won NCAA title, it's time to take a sneak peek at this year's top talent.
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero was kind enough to spend nearly an hour on the phone with FanHouse's Adam Gretz discussing a variety of topics. This is the third of a three-part series. Wednesday's entry: Ray Shero discusses how the 2009-10 Penguins were built through free agency, trades, the draft, and what he expects from the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Western Conference.
Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Eastern Conference.
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- On Wednesday, the New York Islanders formally introduced their first overall pick, John Tavares, to fans and the media. A few hundred fans packed in to get their first glimpse at their young star at a lunchtime press conference on the floor of the Nassau Coliseum.
About 20 rows of fans were seated between the stage and television cameras, and they gave a standing ovation when he was introduced. So much so that if you catch the highlights on TV tonight it might look more like a political rally than a press conference.
So, on a Wednesday in July, the Islanders officially started the John Tavares Era. There was more excitement in the Coliseum than there was on most game nights last season.
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top 
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top 
Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top 
Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's 
Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Eastern Conference.
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- On Wednesday, the New York Islanders formally introduced their first overall pick, 
