KITCHENER, Ont. -- There's a theme building at this year's MasterCard Memorial Cup.
Several big name junior players have been using the tournament's national exposure as a means of putting their name on the radar. However, for many of these players, the national exposure from the tournament shouldn't be the reason behind their newly found popularity.
Perhaps no player has broken out in a bigger way than Kitchener Rangers forward Justin Azevedo. The 20-year-old was named the Canadian Hockey League's player of the year Saturday after also taking home the Ontario Hockey League's regular season and playoff MVP.
Azevedo is the prototypical small forward. He has a quick burst, great hands and is a dynamic offensive player. Yet for some reason, Azevedo continues to fall well below the NHL scouting radar, going undrafted the last two years. In fact, his only National Hockey League experience came at a rookie camp two years ago with the Atlanta Thrashers.
One can't help but wonder if his breakout season will be enough to earn him an NHL contract this summer.
From the Spokane Chiefs, goaltender Dustin Tokarski is about as unknown and unwanted as they come. Cut by two Western Hockey League teams and even more midget teams, Tokarski never gave up on his dream and is now about to play in the biggest game of his career on Sunday in the Memorial Cup final.
His perseverance and dedication are two reasons why he was one of the best goaltenders in the WHL this season. While some may argue the team in front of him is strong, it's unlikely the Chiefs enjoy the same success without him.
Like Azevedo, Tokarski's size has held him back in some people's minds. Despite his elite stats, Tokarski only came in at No. 9 on the NHL's Central Scouting list of North American based goaltenders for next month's draft.
It was a similar story for Belleville Bulls starter Mike Murphy. The 19-year old, however, wasn't even ranked after going undrafted the previous year. He played sparingly in his first two seasons before emerging as one of the OHL's top goaltenders this year, winning the goaltender of the year award.
Then there was Claude Giroux and Paul Byron from the Gatineau Olympiques. Although both have been drafted by NHL teams (Giroux was a first round pick) neither could get their start or simply stick in the OHL. Since then they formed one of the most potent lines in the Québec Major Junior Hockey League.
Perhaps there's still hope for the other three who are hoping the national exposure will help put them on the map.
