By Brendon Crossman

Jan 6, 2014

Before they were National Hockey League legends, Wendel Clark and Adam Graves were up-and-coming young players looking to reach the next level in their hockey careers. Clark and Graves – two of the fiercest competitors to ever suit up in the NHL – will lead a group of 40 Greater Toronto Hockey League prospects tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Herb Carnegie Arena) as they aim to make a lasting impression at the 5th Annual Scotiabank GTHL Top Prospects Game.

Both Clark and Graves have served behind the bench in previous GTHL Top Prospects Games – Clark was a head coach in the first three showcases while Graves was behind the bench with Nick Kypreos last year.

The 40 GTHL players selected to take part in Tuesday’s game will represent their respective Minor Midget AAA clubs. Each of the League’s top two teams will also lend their head coaches to the event. Clark will coach Team Blue alongside another NHL alumnus, Toronto Marlboros head coach Paul Coffey while John Winstanley, head coach of the Toronto Jr. Canadiens, will join Graves in leading Team White.

The Marlboros will send 10 players into action Tuesday while nine Jr. Canadiens will be on the ice at Herb Carnegie. Joining them will be players from the Mississauga Senators (6), Vaughan Kings (6), Don Mills Flyers (3), Toronto Red Wings (3), Mississauga Rebels (1), North York Rangers (1) and Toronto Titans (1).

Players taking part in this year’s showcase are eligible for the 2014 Ontario Hockey League Priority Selection. Notable names from previous GTHL Top Prospects Games include Jake Paterson, Scott Laughton, Adam Pelech (2010) and Connor McDavid (2012) from the 2014 Canadian World Junior team as well as Washington Capitals rookie Tom Wilson (2010) and Calgary Flames first-year standout Sean Monahan (2010). Rosters for this year’s game can be found on the GTHL website.

Teams will have a chance to skate together tonight at Herb Carnegie Arena as Team Clark is slated to practice at 8:00 p.m. with Team Graves hitting the ice at 9:10 p.m.

Tickets for Tuesday’s game can be purchased for $5.00 in advance at the GTHL office (265 Rimrock Rd., Unit 4, Toronto, ON, M3J 3C6; 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) or for $6.00 at the door.

Join the Twitter conversation by following us (@GTHLHockey) and using #GTHLProspects or #scotiahockey at the game.