Over the weekend, eight teams gathered in northern Michigan for the 20th annual
 Traverse City Prospect Tournament, hosted by the Detroit Red Wings. Among the
players present were ten of the top fifty NHL prospects, as identified by
NHL.com. But it wasn';t just the top prospects that stood out for their
respective teams. Several players made a name for themselves over the weekend.
Let';s take a look at one from each team.Carolina Hurricanes: Andrei Svechnikov

In the case of the Carolina Hurricanes, their top prospect arguably was their
standout player. For many, Traverse City was the first opportunity to see the
second overall pick from this year';s draft, Andrei Svechnikov. He didn';t
disappoint, leaving the tournament with two goals and two assists as the
Hurricanes'; top scorer.RALEIGH, NC - JUNE 30: Carolina Hurricanes Andrei
Svechnikov (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Svechnikov showed some of the skills that made him the second pick in the
draft: size, speed, hockey IQ, and a tremendous shot. The Hurricanes struggled
throughout the tournament, and finished with just one victory, but the results
won';t matter much for Hurricanes fans. They are doubtlessly excited to see
more of Svechnikov, who is certainly a favorite for the Calder Memorial Trophy
heading into the season.Chicago Blackhawks: Dylan Sikura

The Blackhawks only had one player ranked in NHL Network';s top-50: defenseman
Adam Boqvist. Behind him in their system is Dylan Sikura, who is their top
offensive prospect. Sikura was drafted in the sixth round in 2014, and has
played at Northeastern University ever since. In 2017-18, he was on perhaps the
 best line in the NCAA, with Canucks'; prospect Adam Gaudette and Blues';
prospect Nolan Stevens. After finishing at Northeastern, Sikura signed with
Chicago and played five games, tallying three assists.

In Traverse City, Sikura';s age, experience, and league-readiness showed.
Though he didn';t finish as a top scorer in the tournament, Sikura did score
the overtime goal that sealed the Blackhawks'; only victory. He is well
positioned to have the same kind of impact this year that Alex DeBrincat, a
standout in Traverse City in 2017, had with the Blackhawks in 2017-18.Columbus
Blue Jackets: Kevin Stenlund

The Columbus Blue Jackets were far and away the shocking team of the
tournament, going undefeated and winning first place despite entering with
probably the weakest farm system. One player that stood out above the rest was
Kevin Stenlund, a Swedish forward whom the Blue Jackets drafted in the second
round in 2015. Stenlund finished in a tie for second for the lead in scoring
with five goals and two assists. While Stenlund is not widely regarded as a
high NHL prospect, he has good size at 6-foot-4, and has decent offensive
upside. It may be that the tournament this weekend helped him find another
level in his game.Dallas Stars: Miro Heiskanen

Another top prospect that shone bright on the Traverse City ice was 2017 third
overall draft pick Miro Heiskanen. He is now generally ranked among the top ten
 prospects in the NHL, and he showed why at the tournament this weekend. He has
 high hockey IQ and is the kind of puck-moving defenseman that makes headlines
in today';s NHL.Miro Heiskanen (center) on draft day (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

Heiskanen showed the all-around game to earn a spot on this list, but we can';t
 ignore Jason Robertson, who led the entire tournament in scoring with two
goals and seven assists. Robertson has proven to be a legitimate scoring threat
 in the OHL, with consecutive 40-goal seasons, and he had a terrific
tournament. But Heiskanen was equally extraordinary, and is poised to step
right into big NHL minutes this coming season.Detroit Red Wings: Joe Veleno

The tournament';s hosts finished in second place, due in no small part to
perhaps the most potent line in the tournament. Featuring three former
first-round picks, Detroit';s top line of Joe Veleno, center Filip Zadina, and
Michael Rasmussen collected fifteen points in four games.Joseph Veleno, Detroit
 Red Wings, 2018 NHL Draft, Dallas, TX, June 22, 2018 (Amy Irvin / The Hockey
Writers)

Veleno, who was one of just five players to be granted "exceptional status,"
allowing him to be drafted into the CHL at just fifteen, fell to the Red Wings
with their second pick in the first round. After watching him collect seven
points and show the poise and maturity that come from having received
"exceptional status," Red Wings fans are probably happier than ever that the
QMJHL stud found his way to their system.Minnesota Wild: Jordan Greenway

Jordan Greenway is a giant. Among the hockey players that roamed the halls at
Centre Ice Arena, he stood a head and shoulders above the rest. But it was his
play on the ice that really stood out this weekend. Greenway used his size and
physicality to differentiate himself from opponents and make plays that smaller
 skaters could not.

With higher rated prospects like Kirill Kaprizov and Luke Kunin not at Traverse
 City, Greenway was the top star from the Minnesota farm system, and when he
played, he could not be ignored. You can';t teach size, and Greenway has it in
spades. He';ll be making an NHL impact sooner rather than later.New York
Rangers: Lias Andersson

In Traverse City, Lias Andersson showed the skills that made him the seventh
overall pick in the 2017 draft. He is determined on the puck, skilled in the
offensive zone, and creative in both passing and positioning. Though he didn';t
 top the scoreboard in the tournament, no one could watch the Rangers in action
 and not notice Andersson.Lias Andersson (Mikael Fritzon / courtesy HV71)

What really stood out about Andersson was his effort level. He was unrelenting
on the forecheck and self-sacrificial in blocking shots. He';s the kind of
player that gets his teammates excited, because he wears his passion on his
sleeve. The Rangers are publicly rebuilding for the first time in quite a
while, and it';s players like Andersson who will carry their brand into a
brighter future.St. Louis Blues: Jordan Kyrou

The Blues headed into the tournament with a lot to prove, and one of the
strongest groups of prospects in Traverse City. While the results weren';t what
 any Blues fan had hoped for, there were still some reasons for excitement -
none bigger than Jordan Kyrou. Kyrou, who ranks second behind Robert Thomas in
most appraisals of the Blues'; farm system, stole the show in Michigan, getting
 better every game of the tournament, scoring several highlight reel goals, and
 finishing in a tie for fourth in scoring.

This kid is good.

Jordan Kyrou has given the #stlblues prospects a 3-1 lead in the 2nd period! 
💻 https://t.co/qVUlZcHmxp 
💻 https://t.co/SDGbj5Neuw pic.twitter.com/NWBitxwy9c

- St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 11, 2018

Kyrou';s electric speed was on display throughout the weekend, and he scored on
 multiple breakaway attempts, making goalies, and sometimes several defenders,
look silly. Kyrou may be the second best pure goal scorer in the Blues'; system
 behind Vladimir Tarasenko, and that';s saying a lot. The Blues'; forward group
 is stacked headed into 2017-18, and it';s tough to see an obvious place for
Kyrou to play, but if he performs in camp like he did in Traverse City, the
front office may have to find a spot for him.

The post Standout Prospect From Each Team in Traverse City appeared first on
The Hockey Writers.

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