Nashvillepredators.com is looking to spotlight some of the worthy teams that make up the Tennessee amateur and youth hockey scene. If you know of an ice, inline or street hockey team that deserves to have its story told, please email us at youthhockeyinterns@nashvillepredators.com and tell us about it. Be sure to check back every month for the Tennessee Team Spotlight feature story.

February 2008: Nashville Predators Jr. NHL All-Star Squirt and Peewee teams

Southeastern Talent Showcased at NHL All-Star Weekend
Nashville Predators Jr. NHL All-Star Squirt and Peewee Team

The Atlanta Thrashers and National Hockey League hosted 10 youth hockey teams, consisting of more than 200 youth players and 20 coaches, for the Atlanta Thrashers Junior NHL All-Star Tournament from Jan. 25-27, as part of the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend festivities in Atlanta. The tournament featured two teams, one Squirt (ages 9-10) and one Pee-Wee (ages 11-12), from each of five NHL cities located in the Southeast – Atlanta, Carolina, Nashville, Tampa Bay and Washington. Tournament games were held on Friday, Jan. 25, Saturday, Jan. 26 and Sunday, Jan. 27 at The Cooler in Alpharetta, Blueland at the Marietta Ice Center and the Kennesaw IceForum.

Squirt and Peewee players from the Nashville market were invited to represent the Nashville Predators at the Jr. NHL All-Star Tournament. Players came together from a handful of different teams that skate out of Knoxville Icearium, Centennial Sportsplex and Southern Ice Arena. The Nashville Predators Jr. NHL All-Star Squirt and Peewee team were outfitted with replica Predators jerseys and socks to make the players feel part of a team, as one unit to showcase talent in the Nashville area.

Throughout the three-day tournament, Nashville area youth players, their coaches and family members attended all of the exciting events that were part of the 2008 NHL All-Star Weekend at Philips Arena, including the Verizon Wireless/NHL Rockin’ Skate 2008, presented by Upper Deck, the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills and the 56th NHL All-Star Game. Several NHL alumni offered instruction to the youth players throughout the tournament, including Hockey Hall-of-Famers Tony Esposito and Rod Gilbert, former Thrashers captain Scott Mellanby and former Atlanta Flames Pat Quinn and Bill Clement.

Wearing their Predators jerseys along with other youth players from the Jr. NHL All-Star Tournament, the Nashville Predators Jr. NHL All-Star teams helped welcome the NHL All-Stars and YoungStars to Philips Arena when they arrived on the red carpet for the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills.

To conclude the weekend festivities, the Nashville Predators Jr. NHL All-Star Squirt and Peewee team took part in the Jr. All-Star Tournament Finale, with a special closing ceremony and party, prior to the NHL All-Star Game. The event featured a special medal ceremony for all players, team photos with the Stanley Cup and appearances by NHL mascots, including Predators mascot Gnash.

The Jr. NHL All-Star game was more than just winning games, it was about camaraderie in the sport of hockey and how youth players from different teams were able to come together to showcase hockey in the south and have fun with friends and family during the NHL All-Star weekend activities.

Below are team rosters and tournament results from the Jr. NHL All-Star Tournament:

PeeWee Division (W-L-T) Washington (4-0-0) Atlanta (3-1-0) Nashville (2-2-0) Carolina (1-3-0) Tampa Bay (0-4-0)

Squirt Division (W-L-T) Washington (4-0-0) Atlanta (2-1-1) Carolina (2-1-1) Nashville (1-3-0) Tampa Bay (0-4-0)

Predators Jr. NHL All-Star Peewee Team Position Name C Bachleda, Austin F Bjurstrom, Felix D Bohr, Ricky D Bullard, Adrian G Crockett, Jared F Curtis, Jimmy D Diver, Sean F Isbell, Matt F/D Keen, Tucker F Levy, Ethan F/D Lyle, Jake D Rooney, Collin F Saunders, Hunter F Scheidt, Austin F Schultheis, Jamie F Smith, Riley F Srebnick, Peter D Wertz, Zack F Worthington, Kip G Yasso, Peter C Mathews, Chase Coach Jim Curtis Coach KJ Vorhees Manager Andee Boiman

Predators Jr. NHL All-Star Squirt Team Position Name F Brady, Connor D Chalkley, Matt D Corns, Michael W Cullen, Nick F Donaldson, Cameron W Ellis, Jacob G Falls, Daniel D Gossett, Jacob D Hunter, Tristan F Keczmer, Christian G Mainland, James D Malone, Jack D Mascali, Ryan C Morris, Russell C Nieman, Clayton F Pefanis, Trey D Preston, Warren W Radcliff, Will F Sinard, Andrew F Veneklase, Trevor Coach Danny Corns Coach Dan Keczmer Manager Andee Boiman

Click here for past winners