The Bombers organization is proud to announce that the following players will be representing their countries:
Oliver Ekman-Larson (D, Team Sweden), Erik Gudbranson (D, Team Canada), Emerson Etem (F, Team USA) and Jason Zucker (F, Team USA).
Prospects Update:
Below is a update on the key prospects in the Bomber's development pipeline:
Austin Watson - Seen as a 3rd line type center with the ability to play on the power play and really gets his nose dirty. Compared to Mike Richards for his two-way play.
Brendan Smith - Good progress as an offensive defenseman, notching 0.6 pts/game in his first season at the AHL.
Derek Stepan - Good development, playing in the NHL. Needs work on the faceoff.
Emerson Etem - Averaging more than a point a game in the WHL.
Erik Gudbranson - Made the Panthers lineup, but will spend another season in the OHL to develop his offensive skills. Still pegged to be a shutdown defenseman.
Jacob Josefson - Battling injury at the NHL level, with only 6 games experience.
Jason Zucker - Averaging over a point a game at the WCHA.
Keaton Ellerby - Struggling to make the NHL lineup. Penned in as a shutdown defenseman.
Landon Ferraro - Attitude issues raised by former WHL team. Stalled in his development at this stage.
Matt Calvert - Excellent progress in his first year in the AHL with 0.76 points per game.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Has been alternating between the NHL and AHL but progressing nicely in his rookie year. Initially averaged almost 20 mins a game at the NHL level; now pared down to allow him to develop at a more manageable pace by playing 15 mins a game.
Patrick Maroon - Rumours of attitude issues; suspended by former team and traded. Progressing at a slower rate in the Ducks farm.
Spencer Machacek - On the verge of making the NHL roster. Was supposed to play for the Thrashers in 2010, but was made redundant with the salary dumping by Chicago. Producing a steady 0.8 pts/game at the AHL level as a 22 year old.
Tyler Toffoli - On the top line for the Ottawa 67's, average 1.6 pt/game and just under 1 G/game.