Shane Prince is looking to impress scouts as a replacement for the CHL/NHL Prospects Game.
Shane Prince knows a royal opportunity when he sees one.
Prince was not among the original participants named to play in the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game scheduled for Wednesday at the Air Canada Centre, but he caught a break. He was added to the game as a replacement for the injured Gabriel Landeskog of the Kitchener Rangers.
Prince, who ranks second in scoring in the Ontario Hockey League with 21 goals and 76 points in 44 games, just behind Ottawa 67's teammate Tyler Toffoli who has 41 goals and 79 points in 44 games, hopes to make the best of his unexpected chance to impress the scouts.
"When I wasn't picked originally, it was definitely disappointing, but I decided to just focus on trying to do everything I could to help my team in Ottawa be successful," Prince said. "It was out of my control. I'm not the one who picked the players for the game. I kind of figured that if there was an injury, I'd be pretty close to the top of the list of potential players who might get the call as a replacement.
"I can't say I'm happy that another player got hurt, and that's the reason I've been picked to play, but again, that's not in my control. I'll just go out and play the best I can. I want to show people what I can do."
Prince has been doing a pretty good job of showing people what he can do with the 67's this season.
The 18-year-old left winger began his junior career with the Kitchener Rangers scoring three goals and 12 points as a rookie two years ago. Prince had eight goals and 17 points in 39 games with the Rangers last season before being traded to Ottawa. Since then, his game has taken off. Prince managed seven goals and 13 points in 26 games with the 67's last season, but more importantly became a trustworthy player while playing at even strength. He was minus-15 in his season and a half with Kitchener, but was plus-5 down the stretch in Ottawa last season and is plus-34 this year.
The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game can be seen Wednesday only on Sportsnet starting at 7 p.m. ET | Check the TV schedule
"The interesting thing is, when he was traded to Ottawa last season, nobody really thought much about the trade," said an NHL scout. "He was a good player, but it wasn't viewed as a big pick-up by the 67's. He really didn't have a history of putting up big numbers. I don't think anybody imagined he'd blossom into one of the most productive players in the league. I also don't imagine anybody would have thought he'd be rated as high as he is for the NHL draft. He's got good size and great speed."
Ottawa coach Chris Byrne, thinks Prince deserves to play in the game, regardless of the circumstances.
"I was surprised when he wasn't originally invited," Byrne said, "but I am prejudiced ... I'm his coach. All I can say is he has been given an opportunity this season and he has taken advantage of that. He had a great summer of training and he has stepped up and proven that he can play an important role on our team. The biggest difference in his game is the way he sees the ice now."
Prince is satisfied with his play thus far and says it was just a matter of time before he started putting up impressive numbers. Prince is ranked 35th among North American skaters in the NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings.
"To be honest, it's really the first time I've been given a chance (in the OHL) to show what I can do," Prince said. "I've had to prove myself all the way up and this is no different. When you get the chance, it's up to you to take advantage."
Other players of interest in Wednesday's game include:
The 6-foot-3, 191-pound defenceman for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL is the son of Jacques Beaulieu who is an assistant coach with the London Knights of the OHL.
BRANDON SAAD
The 6-foot-2, 211-pound left winger plays for the Saginaw Spirit of the OHL and has 23 goals and 43 points in 40 games. He isn't a physical player, but has soft hands.
NICKLAS JENSEN
The 6-foot-3, 186-pound left winger hails from Denmark, but his father, Dan, was a skilled defenceman from Toronto who played the better part of three seasons with the Peterborough Petes. The younger Jensen has 21 goals and 42 points in 35 games with the Oshawa Generals. Imagine, a member of the Petes and Generals in the same family!
