Ryan Stanton of St. Albert played in the second NHL game of his career after the Vancouver Canucks picked up the Chicago Blackhawks’ defenceman on waivers this week.
Stanton, 24, was minus-one with one hit and one blocked shot in 15 shifts and 9:29 minutes of ice time in Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Centre.
The first NHL game for the St. Albert Catholic High School alumnus was April 27 in St. Louis. He was plus-one, with one shot, one hit and a high sticking minor in 17:05 minutes during the 3-1 loss to the Blues.
In the summer the six-foot-two, 196-pound Stanton signed a new two-year contract with the Blackhawks after spending the last three seasons with the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s farm team in the American Hockey League. The former bantam AAA Sabre and midget AAA Raider posted nine goals and 60 points in 224 games in three seasons with the IceHogs and was honoured as the team’s most improved player in 2011 and their top defenceman in 2012 and last season.
In the NHL playoffs Stanton was a member of the Blackhawks’ Black Aces throughout the Stanley Cup run and didn’t play in the playoffs but participated in the post-game festivities, including hoisting the cup on the ice in his No. 55 Blackhawks’ jersey and the team’s victory parade.
The Western Hockey League graduate of the Moose Jaw Warriors brought the Stanley Cup to St. Albert on Aug. 28 for a memorable celebration with family, friends and fans at Meadowview Diamonds as his slowpitch team, the Brew Crew, played the Thirsty Beavers.
Tonight the Canucks host the Edmonton Oilers in their home opener at 8 p.m. on Hockey Night in Canada.
The 15th annual St. Albert Turkey Ring Tournament starts Thursday with a record 78 teams from U9 bunny to U19.
This is the first year for AA teams in the U14 tween, U16 junior and U19 belle divisions.
The five-day tournament includes 27 St. Albert teams.
Last year 71 teams in 11 divisions at the A, B and C levels played 128 games.
Visit www.stalbertringette.com for schedules.
The Lorne Akins Gators finished a stride ahead of the Vincent J. Maloney Marauders in the race for the overall junior high title in the SAPEC cross-country season.
Lorne Akins had 1,149 points based on the top finishers in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions and Maloney’s total was 1,133.
The Sir George Simpson Voyageurs placed third at 1,087, followed by the ESSMY Leopards (886), Richard S. Fowler Falcons (811), William D. Cuts Crusaders (391), Elmer S. Gish Warriors (150), Georges H. Primeau Coyotes (136), Alexandre-Taché (120) and Morinville (84).
The top three division leaders are as follows
Junior: Maloney (423), Simpson (408) and Fowler (342).
Intermediate: Lorne Akins (391), Maloney (368) and ESSMY (350).
Senior: Lorne Akins (449), Simpson (357) and Maloney (342).
The North Central Zone 5 championships were held Thursday at Goldbar Park and results were unavailable at press time.
