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Nine free-agent prospects aim to impress Wings
By Sarah Lindenau - RedWingsCentral.com / August 28, 2008The Detroit Red Wings have invited nine free agents to try out at their annual prospects tournament in Traverse City, Mich., beginning Sept. 13.
With the Red Wings dangerously close to the 50-contract limit, competition for jobs will be tight. The Red Wings have not signed a free-agent prospect out of training camp since taking on forward Nathan Robinson in 2003.
The following is a review of the preliminary invitees (listed alphabetically with position, age, height, weight, statistics, and 2007-08 team).
Jordan Foreman, F, 21, 5-09, 165, 65-28-34-62-155, Niagara (OHL). The 5-foot-9 center isn't big, but he won the 2005 Memorial Cup with the London Knights and became a fan favorite with his big hits and willingness to drop the gloves.
Francis Pare, F, 21, 5-10, 185, 69-54-48-102-54, Chicoutimi (QMJHL). Pare racked up 54 goals and 102 points last year and was named MVP of the QMJHL. He has already signed a contract with Grand Rapids for 2008-09.
Brent Raedeke, F, 18, 6-00, 190, 72-15-16-31-62, Edmonton (WHL). Raedeke went undrafted in 2008 despite being rated as the 106th North American skater by Central Scouting. He plays a good two-way game but is inconsistent.
Bryce Swan, F, 20, 6-03, 198, 67-25-24-49-109, Halifax (QMJHL). The former second-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks has battled inconsistency during his junior career. He has a strong net presence, but skating needs work.
Cody Thornton, F, 22, 5-10, 165, 27-18-24-42-26, Saint Mary's University (CIS). Thornton, a former OHL standout, went the university route and was named to Canada's all-rookie team last season. He is a small, skilled forward.
Cameron Cepek, D, 20, 6-2, 181, 58-7-18-25-119, Edmonton (WHL). Cepek uses his body and stays at home. He was a Montreal Canadiens' seventh-round pick in 2006 but wasn't able to land a contract with the Habs.
Travis Ehrhardt, D, 19, 6-0, 180, 54-7-22-29-53, Portland (WHL). Ehrhardt is a puck-moving defenseman, but offense has been hard to come by. He posted career-best numbers last season (29 points) after a mid-season trade to Portland.
Brian Lashoff, D, 18, 6-2, 185, 50-5-15-20-44, Barrie (OHL). Barrie Colts assistant coach Drake Berehowsky once called Lashoff "the complete package." He is mobile with a big shot and the younger brother of Boston Bruins first-rounder Matt.
Joey Ryan, D, 20, 6-1, 204, 26-0-9-9-35, Gatineau (QMJHL). Ryan is a physical defenseman who likes to hit. The former second-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings has battled injuries and sometimes makes poor decisions with the puck.
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The next wave
RWC's top 10 prospects (2009-10 preliminary)
| 01 | F | Tomas Tatar » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 02 | D | Jakub Kindl » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 03 | D | Brendan Smith » | Wisconsin (NCAA) |
| 04 | G | Thomas McCollum » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 05 | F | Gustav Nyquist » | Maine (NCAA) |
| 06 | F | Landon Ferraro » | Red Deer (WHL) |
| 07 | F | Jan Mursak » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 08 | F | Cory Emmerton » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |
| 09 | F | Joakim Andersson » | Frolunda (SEL) |
| 10 | F | Mattias Ritola » | Grand Rapids (AHL) |