MEDIA ADVISORY: 2012 NHLPA ROOKIE SHOWCASE

TORONTO, ON (August 21, 2012) Thirty of the top NHL rookie prospects will gather outside of Toronto at the MasterCard Centre on Tuesday, August 28th for the 2012 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. Now in its fourth year, this unique event will provide Panini America and Upper Deck – the two official trading card partners of the NHLPA and the NHL – with an exclusive opportunity to photograph many of the game’s top young prospects for the first time in their official NHL team uniforms, in shots that will be used for upcoming trading card and memorabilia launches.

The 30 NHL rookie prospects in attendance for the 2012 NHLPA Rookie Showcase will be available for media scrums prior to the event at approximately 9:00 AM.

WHAT:           2012 NHLPA Rookie Showcase Media Availability

WHO:             NHL prospects scheduled to be in attendance include:

Quinton Howden (Panthers), Brock Nelson (Islanders), Jared Knight (Bruins), Dougie Hamilton (Bruins), Mark Visentin (Coyotes), Ryan Murray (Blue Jackets), Jaden Schwartz (Blues), Beau Bennett (Penguins), Tyler Toffoli (Kings), Jarred Tinordi (Canadiens), Nathan Beaulieu (Canadiens), Reilly Smith (Stars), Emerson Etem (Ducks), Griffin Reinhart (Islanders), Morgan Rielly (Maple Leafs), Justin Schultz (Oilers), Jamie Oleksiak (Stars), Chris Kreider (Rangers), Tomas Jurco (Red Wings), Alex Galchenyuk (Canadiens), Joe Morrow (Penguins), Austin Watson (Predators), Jack Campbell (Stars), Ryan Spooner (Bruins), Leo Komarov (Maple Leafs), Tyson Barrie (Avalanche), Ryan Murphy (Hurricanes), Nail Yakupov (Oilers), Charlie Coyle (Wild), Scott Laughton (Flyers).

WHEN:           Tuesday, August 28th from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

*Upon request, media will also have access to the designated media areas in the different Upper Deck and Panini America event stations. This time will be available mainly for media to gather photos and b-roll footage of those NHL rookie prospects taking part in the scheduled stations.

**Designated representatives from the NHLPA, the NHL, Panini America and Upper Deck will be available for comment, upon request, throughout the media availability.

WHERE:         MasterCard Centre

                        Rink #1

                        400 Kipling Avenue

                        Etobicoke, Ontario

                        M8V 3L1