Taylor Rocca
After going undrafted in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Luke Philp and Jon Martin will get a chance to audition their talents to NHL clubs after all.
According to Kootenay Ice president/general manager Jeff Chynoweth, forward Luke Philp has received an invite to attend Toronto Maple Leafs rookie camp while forward Jon Martin will attend Vancouver Canucks rookie camp.
Philp, an 18-year-old native of Canmore, Alta., posted 77 points in 71 regular season games last season with the Ice. Despite being ranked 80th overall amongst North American skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service, the 5-foot-10 pivot went undrafted at the 2014 NHL Entry Draft in Philadelphia.
Martin, 18, registered 18 points in 65 regular season contests with the Ice last season while also stacking up 105 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2 native of Winnipeg will look to sell his size and grit to a retooling Canucks organization.
The Toronto Maple Leafs 2014 Rookie Tournament is being hosted in London, Ont. from Sept. 13 to 16 and features the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks.
Vancouver Canucks rookie camp will be held in Penticton, B.C. once again this year as the Canucks, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers and Winnipeg Jets converge for the 2014 Young Stars Classic. Players are expected to report Thursday, Sept. 11 with puck dropping on the classic Friday, Sept. 12.