CHL Games to Watch

The lockout doesn't mean you have to stop watching hockey

 With the NHL locked out for the foreseeable future, most fans are probably already sifting through YouTube highlight reels of their favorite players in an attempt to hold them over until the League and the Players' Association stop bickering and get back to playing puck. Though just about everyone can be endlessly entertained by Pavel Datsyuk shooutout highlights or Jonathan Toews making playoff heroics look easy, any hockey fan knows that the void left by an absence of live action ice hockey is not easily filled. Well, it turns out that just because the NHL has temporarily stopped its operations, doesn't mean hockey has stopped being played all over the world! The KHL regular season is already underway, and the top three major junior leagues in the world that make up the CHL will begin their seasons soon. Here's a list of match-ups in the OHL, QMJHL, and WHL that hockey fans will want to check out over the next month if they need to get their fix.
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 This game, above all the others on this list, is probably the most "can't miss" for a true hockey fan because of two words: Connor McDavid. September 20th will mark McDavid's OHL debut with the Erie Otters, and it's kind of a big deal. Over the summer, McDavid was granted "exceptional status" by Hockey Canada, allowing him to join major junior a year early at age 15. He has already showcased his talent at the Allstate All-Canadians Mentorship Camp, dominating practices and scrimmage play, but now it is time to see what he's capable of against bigger, stronger, more skilled opponents. Maybe this is too much hype and pressure to be heaping on a mere 15-year old boy, but I'd be lying to you if I told you he wasn't incredibly special.
 On the other side of the scoresheet will be the Niagara IceDogs, a team who dominated the O the past few seasons, but has lost most of its top-end talent to graduation. They have lost a ton of scoring depth, and the reliable services of Jamie Oleksiak on the blue-line, but they have plenty of younger players ready to step up and fill the shoes of their former teammates. Also, due to the lockout, defensive juggernaut and Boston Bruins' prospect Dougie Hamilton will most likely return to play in Niagara, since he is too young to play in the AHL. Hamilton could have legitimately challenged for a spot on the Bruins' roster, but if we get to watch him for a few more games at the junior level while nothing is happening in the show, no one should be complaining.
Also keep an eye on:
 Oscar Dansk, Erie netminder and 31st overall selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
 Ryan Strome, New York Islanders' prospect who returned to Niagara as a result of the lockout. Strome was drafted 5th overall at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Isles.

 Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the Sherbrooke Phoenix. September 21st will be the expansion team's first regular season game in the QMJHL, and they get to play host to the Rimouski Océanic. Sherbrooke will be looking to make a statement in their first season in the league, and there in no better time for them to start than game one! Though the Phoenix boast a roster of mostly unproven talent, they will have the 1st overall selection from the 2012 QMJHL Draft in their arsenal. Daniel Audette, formerly of Collège Esther-Blondin Phénix, put up 60 points in 39 regular season games and 23 points in 13 playoff games during his last season in the QMAAA. He will be looking to translate that success into the Q, but he's already been off to a pretty good start. In six preseason games, Audette was something to behold in the faceoff circle, winning 51.6% of his draws, despite two sub-par showings against Shawinigan and Blainville-Broisbriand. These are impressive numbers for a rookie, but now we will get to see if he can continue this trend against regular season-caliber adversaries and if he can improve on his consistency on draws, as well.
 Rimouski, fresh off an impressive playoff run in 2011-12 that was brought to an abrupt halt at the hands of the Saint John Sea Dogs and their hyperoffense from last season in the QMJHL Finals, will be looking to further establish themselves as a powerhouse not of the past, but of the present, too. Some people feel the Océanic are favorites to hoist the President's Cup later this season, making them the perfect test for the Phoenix in their inaugural game.
Also keep an eye on:
 Francis Beauvillier, drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 6th round this past summer, he will be counted on by the Océanic to be an offensive leader this year.
 Frédérik Gauthier, skilled rookie for the Océanic who played with Daniel Audette last year in the QMAAA and is draft eligible this summer.

 This early season bout will be not only a bout between two division rivals, but also a battle of 2013 Draft hopefuls. Peterborough has two underrated players, Stephen Nosad and Trevor Murphy, and Ottawa has Sean Monahan, of course.
 Monahan is currently considered one of the elite forwards available in a deep 2013 draft class, and for good reason. His defensive game is beyond his years and he possesses the speed and skill to be a consistent offensive threat when given top minutes. The 67's greatest offensive threat from the past few seasons, LA Kings' prospect Tyler Toffoli, will likely be lost to the AHL, so now will be the perfect opportunity for Monahan to improve upon his offensive numbers now that there is a heavier work load on his shoulders.
 Nosad (forward) and Murphy (defenseman), on the other hand, aren't exactly as heralded as Monahan. They will be trying to prove themselves and boost their draft stock all season to make themselves more noticeable among all of the talent that will be up for grabs this upcoming summer in the draft. Peterborough will be counting on both of those individuals to be reliable throughout the year, but another guy the Petes will need to be a rock is Slater Koekkoek. Despite missing just about all of the 2011-12 season with a shoulder injury, the Tampa Bay Lightning were confident enough in Koekkoek's abilities to take him 10th overall at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Now, the Petes' all-purpose defender returns as the leader of the Peterborough defense corps.
Also keep an eye on:
 Andrew D'Agostini, the Petes' undrafted overage goaltender. D'Agostini has improved every season he's been in the O, and will want to use this year to attract a possible try-out from a pro team or even get drafted this summer.
 Cody Ceci, Ottawa's top defenseman who was taken 15th overall by the Ottawa Senators this past summer at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

 The September 23rd match-up between these two division rivals is the second of back-to-back, home at home games, so their blood should already boiling by the time the puck drops.
 Prince George is looking to bounce back from a rather disappointing season, and Alex Forsberg will be shouldering a good bit of the team's pressure. Forsberg, who despite having a surname most hockey fans will associate with Sweden, is from Saskatchewan, is Prince George's former 1st overall pick at the WHL Draft, but hasn't quite lived up to expectations yet after his first full season with the club. Now, he will have to step his game up big time to not only help his team win, but to impress scouts in his draft year.
 Everett didn't do as poorly as the Cougars did last year, but getting swept in the first round of the playoffs is nothing to brag about, either. Although the Silvertips are looking to get more out of their offense this season, they will be more than happy to get the services of Ryan Murray back, the 2nd overall pick of this past summer's NHL draft. The uncertainty of a lockout (well, now it is a certainty) led the Columbus Blue Jackets to assign Murray back to the Dub, and now we get the luxury of watching him shut down opposing offenses in juniors while the NHL sits dormant.
Also keep an eye on:
 Troy Bourke, Colorado Avalanche prospect and Prince George's leading scorer last season.
 Czech native Stathis Soumelidis, Everett's 2nd round choice in the 2012 CHL Import Draft, is 2013 draft eligible and impressed in the preseason.

 The Portland Winterhawks, who lost in a deciding Game 7 to the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL Finals last season, have now also lost the services of blueline stud Joe Morrow to the AHL. Oh no. What are the Winterhawks possibly going to do? I don't know. Maybe just go out and get another stud defensive prospect like they always do. Oh wait, that's exactly what they did! Over the summer, Portland landed Seth Jones from the USTNDP and will add him to their defense corps this season. Jones, a walloping 6'4", 208lbs, is unanimously considered to be the best available defenseman in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. He's strong, smart, physical, really a total package defenseman. He will join Derrick Pouliot, an exciting player and Pittsburgh's 8th overall selection at the 2012 draft, on Portland's impressive blueline.
 Kelowna is not short of talent both of past drafts and upcoming ones, either. Rockets' defenseman Madison Bowey posted a solid 21 points in 57 games in his rookie season, and will be looking to improve on those numbers even more now that pro scouts will be keeping an even closer eye on him since this is his draft year. Luckily for Bowey, he will have Damon Severson, New Jersey Devils' prospect, to assist him in making Kelowna's defense as good as it can possibly be. Nashville Predators' 2nd round pick in 2012, Colton Sissons, will be returning to play for Kelowna once again, and one can expect him to be back to his usual antics again: playing a relentless style while displaying more offensive instincts than the typical grinder.
Also keep an eye on:
 Portland's Chase De Leo. A late birthday puts this '95 just outside the 2013 draft cut-off. This heartthrob will be looking to utilize increased minutes to prove himself among what is expected to be a very top heavy 2014 draft class.

 Both of these franchises were swept out of the QMJHL playoffs last season and haven't forgotten about it. Val d'Or has made quite a few strides to improving their roster, most notably being aquiring Anton Zlobin. Zlobin was the over-age hero who scored both of the Shiwinigan Cataractes' goals in the Memorial Cup Final, including the overtime game-winner that gave Shawinigan its first Memorial Cup Championship in its 42-year franchise history. He has since been drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and #79 now sports the forest and gold for Les Foreurs. Zlobin brings much needed scoring depth to a team that finished with 224 goals for, good enough for 11th in the QMJHL in 2011-12. Not only do Foreurs fans have Zlobin's offensive firepower to look forward to this season, but they have Anthony Mantha, a forward listed as one of seven "A" skaters in the QMJHL that are eligible for the 2013 draft. Mantha possesses a strong stride and an appetite for the physical game, making him a very fun player to watch.
 Drummondville will be looking to get the same out of left-handed right winger Marc-Olivier Brouillard. Now a veteran, M.O. Broulliard has to not only lead his team off the ice, but also look to be a leader on the scoresheet as well. He has already shown the ability of being a top contributor for his team, posting 72 points in 2011-12. While expectations out of M.O. almost go without saying, a closer eye must be kept on his younger brother, defenseman Nikolas Brouillard. Nikolas is eligible for the 2013 NHL Entry Draft this upcoming summer and shows a lot more promise than some people give him credit for, but he is currently listed on the Voltiguers website as 5'10", 148 lbs. 148 lbs!?! How did this lanky defender manage to get 25 points in his rookie season? Because he's pretty darn good at hockey, that's why. To say this kid needs to bulk up is an understatement, but if he can play the best that he can, he will be a valuable asset to Drummondville not only in this match-up against Val d'Or, but throughout the entire season, as well.
Also keep an eye on:
 Matt Murphy, Val d'Or defenseman with excellent mobility who is 2013 draft eligible.
 Domenic Graham, Drummondville goaltender who is 2013 draft eligible.

 A Storm will be rolling into London, ON on this Sunday afternoon, as two division rivals square off early in a season where both squads have so much to prove.
 The London Kights lost in overtime to the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Memorial Cup Final, and as a result also lost a tremendous amount of talent to graduation without having the opportunity to hoist the Mem Cup over their heads. Captain Jarred Tinordi, playoff MVP Austin Watson, Vladislav Namestnikov, alternate captain Jared Knight, and Michael Houser, who won basically every award a goaltender can win last season, will all be playing in the AHL, and the speedy Andreas Athanasiou was traded to the Barrie Colts over the summer for draft picks. Yet, London is still widely regarded as a favorite to win the OHL title again. Why? Because of A-list 2013 draft hopefuls Max Domi, Bo Horvat, and Nikita Zadorov.
 These two kids are stellar, all-around hockey players who many think can both go somewhere in the top 20 of the upcoming draft. Domi, who is the son of long-time NHL agitator Tie Domi, plays very little like his old man. He plays a very skilled game, is always a threat to score, but doesn't mind the physical game unlike some finesse players. Horvat, on the other hand, is a tank. He has more size than Domi, but can still put the biscuit in the basket. Both of these guys are poised to take the next step with increased ice time this season. One must not forget about the Knights' 3rd "A" ranked skater according to NHL Central Scouting, Nikita Zadorov. The Russian defenseman will be entering his rookie season in North American major junior hockey, but has high expectations. He may not be Jarred Tinordi, but he can certainly help make the void on the blueline left by the Canadiens' prospect look significantly less gaping.
 The Gueplh Storm may not exactly be as sexy of a pick as London to win the OHL since they are coming off of a dead-even .500 season, but the team has made strides to improve and could easily sneak up on unwary opponents. 2012 draftee forwards Scott Kosmachuk (Winnipeg), Tanner Richard (Tampa Bay), and Brock McGinn (Carolina) will now step even further into the forefront of Guelph's attack, and even though they lost a few anchors to graduation, the Storm will still have Matt Finn, who inexplicably fell to Toronto in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft, on their defense.
Also keep an eye on:
 Ryan and Matt Rupert, London's terror twins who create such a beautiful orchestra of chaos one cannot help but be impressed by their forechecking abilities. Ryan was drafted in the 6th round by Toronto in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft while Matt was invited to Leafs development camp.

 The Medicine Hat Tigers have been an offensive juggernaut the past few seasons, and they have one of the biggest offensive stars available in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft returning for another season. Hunter Shinkaruk has a lethal release that earned him 49 goals, which was 5th best in the WHL. He's considered to be one of the top prospects in this summer's draft, but many people are asking if he can still put up top-of-the-league stats with Medicine Hat's long-time scoring leader and Anaheim Ducks prospect Emerson Etem graduating to the AHL. Playing with Etem definitely helped Shinkaruk put up the numbers he did in his first two season in the Dub, but now he will have to produce without Etem's assistance if he wants to be mentioned among the elite names in the upcoming draft, Nathan MacKinnon, Seth Jones, and Sean Monahan.
 Vancouver is coming off of an okay season, but made a ton of strides towards trying to improve themselves in the offseason, including trading away a multitude of draft picks in exchange for Stewart Coyle from Kelowna and Tristan Sieben from the reigning WHL Champion Edmonton Oil Kings. However, none of these new additions can replace the departure of Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver's top goal scorer from last season. That's where Marek Tvrdon comes in. The Detroit Red Wings' prospect managed to get 74 points in his rookie/semi-sophomore season with the Giants, just three less than Gallagher. Now, Tvrdon will have to lead the Giants' offense throughout the year, and a Medicine Hat defense with the likes of veteran Alex Theriau and the newly acquired 6'4" Derek Ryckman will be a good test for Tvrdon.
Also keep an eye on:
 Jayden Hart, 2013 draft eligible Medicine Hat center with above average offensive skills and skating, but sometimes doesn't seem as engaged as he should be.
 David Musil, Vancouver Giants' defenseman and the Edmonton Oilers' 31st overall choice at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

 Could we be looking at the current QMJHL Champs facing off against the future QMJHL Champs? Many experts think so, because the Halifax Mooseheads are ready to make the jump to the elite level. Last year, the Mooseheads fell to the Rimouski Océanic in the QMJHL semi-finals after pulling off a miraculous 0-3 serious comeback against the Québec Remparts to win 4-3. Tested for adversity, Halifix returns this season as a favorite for the Q crown and will ride the performances of some of the top talents available in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin are both two of only seven "A" level skaters in the QMJHL according to NHL Central Scouting, and goaltender Zachary Fucale is the only "A" level goalie in all of the CHL so far. All three of these players are expected to go in the 1st round, indefinitely. Even though Drouin and Fucale are incredible talents, they are both overshadowed by the gigantic veil permeating from the hype surrounding Nathan MacKinnon.

Nathan MacKinnon cellies hard.

 If there ever was a must-see player, MacKinnon is it. He has been compared to Sidney Crosby, and though we still don't know if he will have the same NHL success as Sid has, MacKinnon is almost a lock for the #1 overall pick come June. He's the kind of player a team can hope to build their franchise around, and he wants to do nothing more than win
 Jonathan Huberdeau and the rest of the Saint John Sea Dogs would absolutely love to rain on the Halifax hype parade, and reassert their dominance as the premiere team in the Q, despite losing a lot of their top-end talent to graduation.
Also keep an eye on:
 Oliver Cooper, the lone player on the Sea Dogs' roster who is the least bit interesting AND 2013 draft eligible.

 If the NHL can't give fans the Battle of Alberta, the WHL sure can! Things always heat up when Calgary and Edmonton meet, no matter what level it takes place at. Though both of these clubs were successful in the 2011-12 regular season, playoffs were a completely different story. Edmonton went on to win the WHL Championship, while Calgary was upset in the first round managing only one win in their series with Brandon. Though everyone knows goals and wins do not carry over to the next season, Calgary and Edmonton are considered to be two of the top teams the Dub has to offer.
 The Hitmen still have a lot of contributors returning from last year's team, but a new addition to the team may prove to be the most valuable. Jake Virtanen is entering his rookie season in the WHL, and he already has quite a reputation built for himself. He managed 39 points in 39 games for the Fraser Valley Bruins of the BCMML, and was actually able to suit up for the Hitmen for nine games, in which he netted three goals and four assists. Virtanen is a consistent, point a game player who plays a tough, rough and tumble style despite his 5'11" frame. He is also 2014 draft eligible.
 The Oil Kings have a bunch of returning stars from their championship team coming back to play for them, including 1st round picks from the 2012 draft Griffin Reinhart (NY Islanders) and Henrik Samuelsson (Phoenix). Edmonton also still has 2013 draft eligible forward Curtis Lazar, who is much more than just a "secret weapon" at this point. Lazar led his team in both goals and total points in the playoffs, and is regarded as one of the best available players in a deep 2013 draft class. In fact, Lazar vs Virtanen will make for a very interesting match-up in itself, a game within the game, in the WHL's classic Battle of Alberta.
Also keep an eye on:
 Kenton Helgesen, 6'3" Calgary defender who was a late draft steal taken by Anaheim in the 7th round.
 Keegan Lowe, Edmonton's defenseman and Carolina Hurricanes' prospect who plays a similar style to his father, Kevin Lowe, who was a big player for the Edmonton Oilers' dynasty of the late 80's.
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 As long as a lockout persists, The Hart of Hockey will continue to post CHL Games to Watch like this on a monthly basis.
 All times eastern. Rosters are subject to change due to injury.