CHL Top Prospects Game: Team Orr dominates Team Cherry
Travis Konecny scores twice, forces key turnover
Travis Konecny scored two goals and forced the turnover that led to another as part of an impressive showing at the CHL top prospects game.
Konecny of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's skated with Connor McDavid and Timo Meier, and that line was a huge reason why Team Orr beat Team Cherry 6-0 at Meridian Centre on Thursday night.
Ranked 26th among North American skaters on NHL Central Scouting's midterm list, Konecny was the best in off-ice testing Wednesday and then stood out again in the game playing with and against his peers.
Konecny scored on a semi-breakaway, beating Owen Sound goaltender Michael McNiven high glove side and then on a give-and-go with Meier. He had the big hit that helped get McDavid the puck on Meier's goal, the second of the night for Team Orr.
Defenceman Ryan Pilon and forwards Nathan Noel and Paul Bittner scored for the team coached by Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr. Goaltenders Nick McBride of the Western Hockey League's Prince Albert Raiders and Liam Herbst of the 67's combined for the shutout.
Dylan Strome, a teammate of McDavid's on the Erie Otters, had a strong game for the team coached by Don Cherry. Samuel Montembeault of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Blainville-Boisbriand Armada stopped 15 of 17 shots he faced, and McNiven made eight saves.
McDavid showed off flashes of the speed and skill that will make him the top pick in June's NHL draft. He finished with one assist.
With NHL arenas dark for the first night of the all-star break, the CHL top prospects game took centre stage in the hockey world. Over 200 scouts from all 30 NHL teams were in attendance to see 40 of the best draft-eligible prospects playing major junior hockey.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also in the building. Harper spoke to players before the game and tweeted that he got an autographed jersey from McDavid, who signed it on Orr's back.
Honoured to receive a signed jersey from <a href="https://twitter.com/cmcdavid97">@cmcdavid97</a> who got a little help from his coach, the legendary Bobby Orr. <a href="http://t.co/ZoGZERMJJB">pic.twitter.com/ZoGZERMJJB</a>
—@pmharper