Stars to shine in Top Prospects Game

Some of the best and brightest young stars in the Canadian Hockey League will get the opportunity to impress NHL scouts.

Forty CHL players will compete as Team Cherry takes on Team Orr in the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game at Prospera Place in Kelowna B.C. on Wednesday.

Watch the 2012 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Wednesday on Sportsnet with coverage starting at 10 p.m. ET. / 7 p.m. PT.

Two players who were ranked first overall in their regional league according to NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary Draft Rankings -- Mikhail Grigorenko of the Quebec Remparts, and Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips -- will play in the game. Murray, along with Tanner Pearson of the Barrie Colts, will compete in this event after representing Canada at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game showcases 40 of the league's top prospects eligible for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft," CHL President David Branch said when the roster was announced. "Congratulations to all 40 players selected for this event representing the next wave of talent to the NHL, with the opportunity to showcase their skills before hundreds of NHL scouts in attendance and for fans in Kelowna and CHL fans watching live across Canada on Sportsnet and TVA Sports."

Thirty-one of the CHL's 59 member clubs are represented in this game. Eight teams have two players competing in the event including the host Kelowna Rockets who will be represented by forward Colton Sissons and defenceman Damon Severson. However, Sissons (Orr) and Severson (Cherry) will be on opposite sides this time around.

"The Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game is an event that all NHL scouts look forward to attending," NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr said. "The 40 players competing in this game were chosen by the 30 NHL clubs with the game being a unique opportunity to evaluate 40 of the top draft eligible prospects on a single stage in what has annually become an intense competition."

"It is a huge honour to be named to this event and to play alongside some of the best players in the 2012 NHL draft class," said Murray. "I've had some great friends compete in this game including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins last season, and I am really looking forward to this opportunity."

Russian-born top prospect Grigorenko, who leads all QMJHL rookies with 64 points in 41 games, was also thrilled to be named to the Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

Grigorenko said, "I am honoured to play among the best NHL prospects and it will be a great challenge for me."

Last season Ryan Nugent-Hopkins became the 10th player to compete in this event since 1996 to be selected with the first-overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. A total of 19 CHL players from the 2011 Home Hardware CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game were selected among the record 21 CHL players chosen in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. That list included Jonathan Huberdeau of the Saint John Sea Dogs who was selected third overall, and Ryan Strome of the Niagara IceDogs who was selected fifth overall.