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MARY ORMSBY
SPORTS REPORTER
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed impressive young defenceman Luke Schenn to a three-year entry level contract, the NHL club announced this morning. The 18-year-old native of Saskatoon is expected to be in the lineup Thursday when the Leafs open the 2008-2009 season against the Red Wings in Detroit, reports Mark Zwolinski.
"Luke's got a bright future in the NHL and we are very excited to have him signed to a contract," Leafs' general manager Cliff Fletcher stated in a news release.
"He had a great training camp during which he demonstrated a lot of poise and skill for a young defenceman."
However, it appears blueliner Steffan Kronwall and forward Boyd Devereaux will not be in the Leafs' plans this season. Neither player was on the ice this morning for practice, leading to speculation the pair will be placed on waivers or dealt.
Schenn was selected fifth overall by Toronto in the 2008 NHL entry draft held in Ottawa. In seven preseason games with the Leafs, he scored one goal and one shootout game-winning goal, along with two penalty minutes and a plus-three rating.
In 2007-08, Schenn played 57 games for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League collecting seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points, along with 100 penalty minutes. He was selected to the WHL's Western Conference Second All-Star Team. As well he was a team captain at the 2008 CHL Top Prospects game in Edmonton, where he scored a goal and earned a plus-two rating.
Internationally, Schenn won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2008 world junior hockey championship. In seven games played he ranked first on the team with a plus-five rating. He also won a gold medal while playing for Canada at the 2007 World Under-18 Championships, during which he played six games and scored three goals.
MARY ORMSBY
SPORTS REPORTER
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed impressive young defenceman Luke Schenn to a three-year entry level contract, the NHL club announced this morning. The 18-year-old native of Saskatoon is expected to be in the lineup Thursday when the Leafs open the 2008-2009 season against the Red Wings in Detroit, reports Mark Zwolinski.
"Luke's got a bright future in the NHL and we are very excited to have him signed to a contract," Leafs' general manager Cliff Fletcher stated in a news release.
"He had a great training camp during which he demonstrated a lot of poise and skill for a young defenceman."
However, it appears blueliner Steffan Kronwall and forward Boyd Devereaux will not be in the Leafs' plans this season. Neither player was on the ice this morning for practice, leading to speculation the pair will be placed on waivers or dealt.
Schenn was selected fifth overall by Toronto in the 2008 NHL entry draft held in Ottawa. In seven preseason games with the Leafs, he scored one goal and one shootout game-winning goal, along with two penalty minutes and a plus-three rating.
In 2007-08, Schenn played 57 games for the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League collecting seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points, along with 100 penalty minutes. He was selected to the WHL's Western Conference Second All-Star Team. As well he was a team captain at the 2008 CHL Top Prospects game in Edmonton, where he scored a goal and earned a plus-two rating.
Internationally, Schenn won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2008 world junior hockey championship. In seven games played he ranked first on the team with a plus-five rating. He also won a gold medal while playing for Canada at the 2007 World Under-18 Championships, during which he played six games and scored three goals.
