National Hockey League players taking minor leagues by storm after lockout of NHL
After the National Hockey League (NHL) lockout, the top-class players are making it big by going into other leagues. And playing with the players which are not as capable as them and being at a different level from other players around them, they are taking
everything by storm.
Its example is arrival of youngsters, Canada centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Canadian right winger Jordan Eberle to the Oklahoma City Barons in American Hockey League (AHL).
Both of them played for Edmonton Oilers last season and were supposed to play for them again, had lockout not taken place. But now they have turned to the minor league and would be trying to make their mark there.
People and fans of Oklahoma City are also excited to see the players in action for their team and cannot wait to see them playing, wearing their team’s jerseys.
The general manager of Oklahoma City Barons Bill Scott confirmed this and informed about the curiosity of the people while talking to QMI agency on Monday. According to him there is a buzz going all over around the city about the players as he said,
"Whether you are getting a hair cut or at the grocery store, there is a noticeable buzz about those guys coming to the team. Fans here are aware of (the parent) Edmonton Oilers and who these guys are."
The young general manager does not think that their inclusion will affect a lot the ticket sale of their matches much but still they are looking to take advantage of these two players in their team by using them for advertisements.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who was the first overall selectee of last year’s draft, would be show a great performance here and he has a chance to do it now against comparatively weaker opponents. Last year he was not too impressive and as much as people were expecting
him to be.
Last season, which was his debut season, Nugent-Hopkins scored 18 goals, 34 assists and 52 total points in 62 games, which are very low for standard of a centre which is selected first overall in the draft.
22-year-old Eberle has already enjoyed some NHL success as he scored 34 goals, 42 assists and 78 points in the last season which was his second in the league.
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