09/13/2006

Tourney a hit with teams

Columbus wins Prospects finale

BY DENNIS CHASE

dchase@record-eagle.com

Record-Eagle/Tyler Sipe
Columbus Blue Jackets' defenseman Trevor Hendrikx, left, is banged into the boards by Atlanta Thrashers' right wing Colton Fretter (Michigan State) during Tuesday's final of the NHL Prospects Tournament.

See today's related story

• Wings make change in the goal, but goal is unchanged

TRAVERSE CITY — If Detroit General Manager Ken Holland ever needs to recruit more teams to the Prospects Camp at Centre ICE, he should put them in touch with Larry Pleau.

Pleau is the St. Louis Blues GM and he's had his team's prospects here from day one.

"Eight years," Pleau said. "This is tremendous. You can't ask for anything better. Every year has been good here. We have no complaints — the facility, the people, the fans, the way we're treated at the hotel, everything. It's been outstanding.

"To have this type of environment, and to be part of it, is a real positive for our organization and for our kids.

"So unless Kenny kicks us out (we'll be back)."

The tournament, featuring eight teams, ended Tuesday night with Columbus beating Atlanta 5-1 in the championship game. Dallas upended the New York Rangers 6-5 to claim third place. Jamie Tardif's overtime goal gave Detroit a 4-3 win over the Blues in the fifth-place game. Tampa Bay beat Minnesota 8-7 for seventh.

The Rangers were making their first appearance in Traverse City.

"This has been a good experience for our kids," said Ken Gernander, an assistant coach with the Rangers' top affiliate at Hartford. "This is a good assessment tool. You get to see some of younger players competing against their peers and it provides a good opportunity to do some teaching. You have them here for the week and it gives you a chance to assimilate them to your style and system."

Jim Nill, the Red Wings assistant general manager, was pleased with how the expanded tournament played out.

"We got to see a lot of different teams, a lot of different players," he said. "I think it's a great format."

Nill said the tournament also gives teams a chance to network.

"You have eight teams and every team has 10 to 20 staff members here," he said. "With training camp ready to start up this is a great opportunity to get a feel for what's going on around the league."

The Wings finished 2-2.

"Our guys played hard," Nill said. "They were all close games that could have gone either way. As long as the guys give the effort that's all we ask."