JULY 4, 2009
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Every young hockey player has a favourite team and player when they are growing up. For Matt Duchene, that team was the Colorado Avalanche and the player was Joe Sakic. Dreams have become reality for the young man from Haliburton, Ontario, as the Avalanche selected Duchene 3rd overall in the recent NHL Entry Draft. Matt is still grasping the fact that he may get a chance to pull on the Avs sweater and share the ice with his idol.

“He's been my idol my whole life, and I got an autographed jersey of him in my basement. A guy I always looked up to and tried to model my game after and my personality after. He's everything any kid dreams of being.” ---- Colorado Avalanche draft pick, Matt Duchene on his boyhood idol, Joe Sakic.

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‘VICTOR-Y’ FOR TAMPA WITH SELECTION OF HEDMAN
Victor Hedman feels he is capable of being an everyday NHL player and he is ready to show the world. After another solid season in 2008-09 playing in the Swedish Elite League and leading Sweden to a silver medal performance at the World Junior Championships in Ottawa, Victor has finally realized his dream of becoming a NHLer and is eager to showcase his world-class talent to the fans and players of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
OPEN SEASON: FREE AGENCY BEGINS JULY 1
July 1 is a date that everyone in the hockey world, from GM’s to players to fans, always has marked on their calendars. This date marks the opening of the annual free agency period and what many clubs consider the start of the new NHL season. Starting on the 1st, players will have the opportunity to weigh offers from teams around the league and make decisions which best fits their personal and career needs.
SUSPENSE OVER AS TAVARES GOES #1 OVERALL
Every so often, a player comes along that makes everyone in the hockey world sit-up and take notice. John Tavares is one of those players. Since a very young age, John has displayed his dynamic offensive skills at every level he has played. After the New York Islanders made him the #1 selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, John is now ready to ply his trade in the NHL. The young man who broke Wayne Gretzky's scoring records in the OHL has been eagerly awaiting this opportunity his entire life.


CHAD LAROSE