MEDIA ADVISORY: 2011 NHLPA ROOKIE SHOWCASE

TORONTO, ON (August 23, 2011) – Twenty-seven of the top NHL rookie prospects will gather outside of Toronto at the MasterCard Centre on Tuesday, August 30th for the 2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase. This unique event will provide Panini America and Upper Deck – the 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 27 NHL rookie prospects in attendance for the 2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase will be available for media scrums prior to the event at approximately 9:00 AM.

WHAT:  2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase Media Availability

WHO:  NHL prospects scheduled to be in attendance include: 

Jake Allen (STL), Carter Ashton (TB), Brett Connolly (TB), Simon Despres (PIT), Cody Eakin (WSH), Ryan Ellis (NSH), Tim Erixon (NYR), Justin Faulk (CAR), Jake Gardiner (TOR), Blake Geoffrion (NSH), Brandon Gormley (PHX), Adam Henrique (NJ), Jonathan Huberdeau (FLA), Zack Kassian (BUF), Carl Klingberg (WPG), Marcus Kruger (CHI), Gabriel Landeskog (COL), Adam Larsson (NJ), John Moore (CBJ), Greg Nemisz (CGY), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM), Aaron Palushaj (MTL), David Rundblad (OTT), Jussi Rynnas (TOR), Brendan Smith (DET), Ryan Strome (NYI), and Mika Zibanejad (OTT).

WHEN:  Tuesday, August 30th 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