JCVH60: Day One - MasterCard Memorial Cup

L to R - Nathan McKinnon, Seth Jones and Jonathan Drouin

All the teams practiced today at the Credit Union Centre. They all looked fast and sharp in drills that have been well rehearsed. The London Knights worked a lot on sending pucks into the corner to read the bounces off the boards.

The top three NHL prospects for the upcoming draft politely answered the same questions they've heard hundreds of times this year. Actually, their attention to most of their answers was admirable. Seth Jones of Portland, Nathan McKinnon and Jonathan Drouin of Halifax are obviously polished professionals already when it comes to handling the media. Jones and McKinnon are friends and roommates who are represented by the same agency.

Even the hardened media had to admit, it is rare to have the top three NHL draft prospects featured in the Memorial Cup, which is usually won by teams made up of players already drafted.

Knights went through a high paced practice at Credit Union Centre

The most interesting thought of the day for me came from a somewhat surprise visitor. Recently fired coach of the Dallas Stars, Glen Gulutzan has been recruited by the Saskatoon Blades as an advisor. Gulutzan felt it was wise to get right back into the hockey mix. Gulutzan played one season for the Blades (1991-92) and has long ties to hockey in the west. He spent six seasons coaching in Las Vegas in the East Coast Hockey League before climbing to the Dallas Stars for two seasons. He's a contemporary coach who is impressive in conversation about the game. He had special praise for London Knights coach Dale Hunter for the coaching job he did in Washington last year. Listen to the entire interview with Gulutzan by clicking this link. entire interview