The Blue Jackets are making their 18th consecutive appearance at the NHL Prospects Tournament, which begins Sept. 6 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich.
Their victory last year set a tournament record with their fifth title, going with wins in 2005, 2006, 2014 and 2015. This year, the Blue Jackets prospects will be coached by Mike Eaves, who was named head coach of the Cleveland Monsters earlier this summer. They'll play in the Ted Lindsay Division with the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and a loaded-up New York Rangers team.
Elvis Merzlikins, Liam Foudy and Alexandre Texier are among the big names traveling to Traverse City – and at least two of them (Texier and Merzlikins) are near-locks to be on the Blue Jackets' opening night roster. The Blue Jackets are bringing 11 free-agent invites to the prospects tournament.
Here's the full Blue Jackets roster:
According to Jeff Svoboda of BlueJackets.com, forward Emil Bemstrom is still recovering from a facial injury suffered in Sweden and won't be going to Traverse City–but is expected ready for the start of training camp, which opens with medicals and fitness testing on Sept. 12.
Of note: #CBJ forward Emil Bemstrom, who will have a chance to make the NHL roster after leading Sweden's top league in goals last year, will not play in Traverse City (facial injury) but should be good to go for training camp.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) August 28, 2019
The first on-ice session of camp is set for Sept. 13, with preseason action beginning Sept. 17 against the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena. Hockey's coming, folks.
