The Vancouver Sun reminds readers that among the possible effected parties if the lockout comes are players are on the cusp of making the NHL. Canucks prospect Kevin Connauton, the former Vancouver Giant, has spent two years in the American Hockey League and his development was an integral reason why the Canucks allowed Marc-Andre Gragnani to walk away.
Now he likely won't have a training camp to show his improving skills. He is, however, eligible to keep playing in the AHL for the Chicago Wolves.
"Obviously for a guy in my position, you just hope for the best with the CBA talks," said the 22-year-old defenceman, a third-round pick in 2009. "Training camp is kind of the first impression to show what you've been working on all summer. So if there is no training camp, it's a little disappointing in that sense. But at least I'll have a place to play and I'll be getting in game shape in Chicago for whenever the season does start."
Connauton admitted the uncertainty surrounding the CBA talks just adds to the uncertainty facing any player in his situation.
"Every year you play hockey, there's uncertainty," he noted. "Hockey is the kind of sport where there is not a lot of stability, where you never know where you're going to be the next year, where you never know whether you're going to be up or down."
Connauton also admitted he had past doubts about his NHL readiness but now feels fully prepared. He's 6-1, 200 pounds and coming off a 13-goal season with the Wolves.
"The last couple of years I think maybe in the back of my mind I kind of knew the AHL would inevitably be where I ended up," he explained. "Now I've played two years in the minors and I feel like my game is ready to make that next step.
"Physically I'm as strong as I've ever been and mentally I'm as prepared as I've ever been. I'm expecting big things out of myself. This year I want to play in Vancouver."
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