Welcome to August. The off-season is in full swing, but this year it will have more hockey than normal. The men’s World Junior Championship will be starting next week. Here at PPP, we will be starting our Top 25 Under 25 series at about the same time. But right now we have the Hlinka Gretzky Cup underway in Red Deer, Alberta. It’s an under-18 tournament frequently watched to see players one or two years away from potentially being drafted.

Canada opened the tournament yesterday with one hell of a win against the Swiss.

On the US side, William Whitelaw looks like one to watch.

Whitelaw is eligible for the next NHL Draft, though he has committed to the University of Minnesota and will start with them in the Fall of 2023.

Team Canada has the day off today, but they will be back tomorrow to play Slovakia.

Other News

Did you know there’s a rivalry between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Anaheim Ducks? Don’t worry, no one else did either. But here is how it is presently going down.

The Leafs Don’t Need to Force a Trade to Become Salary Cap Compliant - SI
The Maple Leafs have eight pre-season games this fall compared to six from last season. Anything can happen whether it be in games, practices, etc. that might resolve itself before the club has to be cap compliant. [SPECIES: this is very wishful thinking, and I do not think it is prudent to wait and see if someone is badly injured in a pre-season game to make major player signings.]

Who is Buffalo Sabres Head Coach Don Granato? - Die By The Blade
Let’s take a closer look at Don Granato following his first full NHL season as Sabres’ head coach.

And a goodbye to Nichelle Nichols who died yesterday at the age of 89. Here’s one of the best Uhura moments.

From The Branches