Halifax
Of the four practices, Halifax showed the most jump.
The pace of Nathan MacKinnon’s practice sped up once Seth Jones and the Portland Winterhawks arrived to take in some of the Mooseheads’ practice.
Trey Lewis has amazing awareness. He grew up watching VHS tapes of Bobby Orr.
Dominque Ducharme is a man of few words, but when he speaks his team is at attention.
London
No Jake Patterson at the London skate. When asked, Knights Head Coach Dale Hunter quickly replied, "maintenance day."
Knights assistant coach Rob Simpson took to the net in his place and the team showed no mercy.
Bo Horvat couldn’t have been happier to have faced Vincent Trocheck, and Mark Scheifele in the last two rounds of the playoffs.
Portland
No Paul Bitner at the Portland skate. Head Coach Travis Green made mention of his youth and need for rest.
Spoke with Nic Petan who made reference to how close this Portland team is.
Mac Carruth didn’t want to come back to the Western Hockey League, but the lockout left him with little choice. He’s been working with the Chicago Blackhawks to improve the mental side of his game.
Saskatoon
Quiet work day for the Blades which is exactly how they want it. In eight years of doing this, I haven’t heard as little about one team as I have the Blades this year.
Because of the relationship he has with London goalie coach Bill Dark, Saskatoon net minder Andrey Makarov claimed he knows, "everything," about London’s shooters. Of course, Makarov was in his usual joking mood.
Brendan Walker has benefitted the most of any Blades player when it comes to utilizing the teachings of performance coach Greg Cochlan.
I am anxious to see the Blades’ commemorative jerseys.
Other Stuff
There is a trend in the NHL where players are going to wider, longer stick blades – and what the NHL does, the CHL usually copies.
Great to hear Bryan Trottier and Bernie Federko speak at the MasterCard Memorial Cup Opening Banquet.
For more on the Mastercard Memorial Cup, be sure to check out the latest from Patrick King
The tournament opens tonight, here’s where you can find broadcast times.
For all official information, click here.