Actual Hockey News

Boo (NHLMedia.com)

Actually have some real hockey news to report to you guys concerning a New York Ranger prospect, a New York Islander prospect and details about what could be a really exciting game involving American-born prospects.

If you haven't heard the annual college hockey game held at Madison Square Garden known as the Frozen Apple announced the participants for this year's event. Cornell, who has become kind of the home team will be taking on the Michigan Wolverines featuring New York Rangers 2012 2nd round pick Cristoval (Boo) Nieves.

The game which will take place on November 24, will also be a rematch from last year's NCAA tournament where Cornell upset Michigan.

Still for Ranger fans this will be a golden opportunity to get to see one of the New York Ranger prospects in action live and the prospect known as "Boo" is already generating a lot of hype.

Entering Michigan and being assigned current Ranger Carl Hagelin's number 12 is going to put a lot of pressure on the young man from Connecticut. Nieves is a 6'2 forward who the scouts rave about his upside, especially offensively.

Kudos to the folks at Madison Square Garden for bringing in a team with a Ranger prospect playing for them. I would just like to see the Rangers take it one step more and try to arrange these games where a different Ranger prospect gets to play with his college team at the garden.

Invite Notre Dame (Steven Fogarty) next year and let them take on either Minnesota (Brady Skjei) or Michigan. Or take it further and make it a matchup with Ranger prospects taking on Islander prospects.

Or college hockey could really use holding a holiday tournament at Madison Square Garden featuring some of the best teams in college hockey. Boston has the Beanpot which is one of the most exciting tournament's in college hockey so the Rangers could host a tournament that supports the Garden Of Dreams.

There's no reason why Madison Square Garden could not host such an event. If you want to turn people into college hockey fans then put on great shows and events in places where you know hockey has strong support.

Strome (NHLMedia.com)

On August 9th, Canadian and Russian junior players will start a four-game challenge commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Hockey Summit series. Ryan Strome, the Islanders 2011 first-round pick is the only player with local ties on Team Canada.

The series will start in Russia with 2 games then shift to Halifax for the other 2. Portland Winterhawk fans will be happy that Ty Rattie and Brendan Leispic will play for Canada.

This team was selected before the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and sorry I can't explain why Ranger prospect Michael St. Croix was not named either

USA Hockey

USA Hockey gets into the news with the announcement of the rosters for the first ever CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game to be on Saturday, September 29. Featuring 40 of the top ranked American born players who will be eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft; the game will be held in Buffalo NY.

Another Portland Winterhawk, Seth Jones will be playing in this event which I have to say is a great idea of USA Hockey's with the exception of where the event is being held. If I had a say I would have put this event on in a city where it would draw the most interest.

Hold it in Michigan or Minnesota or even North Dakota where prospect hockey is at it's strongest. Buffalo hosted the 2011 World Under-20 Championships and the only reason they had decent attendance was because of all the Canadian fans who crossed the border for the event.

If this event is supposed to showcase the best young American talent then put it on a stage where it will be supported the most. One can only hope that the NHL Network will carry this game in the USA so American fans will get a first look at some very talented young players.