Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen discusses the possible demise of the Red Wings’ annual Prospect Tournament this morning:
Dan Cleary’s fondness for the Red Wings-hosted Traverse City NHL Prospect Tournament is rooted in both nostalgia and practicality.
“I came up to the first ever tournament here when I was in Chicago,” the Red Wings Director of Player Development said. “We drove up and stayed in one of those little motels along the water…when I was 18. So I certainly hope it stays.”
Today, Cleary’s enjoyment of the tournament comes from watching some of his team’s best young prospects measuring themselves against other top prospects. Cleary and the Detroit executives were doing that last week when the Red Wings played the Dallas Stars youngsters in two games.
“I like the idea. I know it’s only one team, but just to judge them against their peers and see where they stack up and the competition, and it sets these kids up for a great week (at training camp),” Cleary said. “… Have put a lot of value in it. I gotta be honest.”
The members of the Red Wings and Stars management teams watched that tournament knowing they may have been witnessing the end of an era. After 25 tournaments, GMs Steve Yzerman and Dallas GM Jim Nill are discussing the tournament’s future.
“The event up in Traverse City is a little bit up in the air for next year,” Yzerman said.
Continued with comments from Yzerman and Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill, who was instrumental in building up the Prospect Tournament….
