Herd Word

EHLERS
Well congratulations are in order for one former Halifax Moosehead. Nikolaj Ehlers, 21, was signed to an extension on Wednesday by the Winnipeg Jets, the team announced. Ehlers is going into his third NHL season with the Jets and this will be the last year in his entry level contract. Over the course of two years in the professional leagues, Nik has 102 points in 154 games played, which includes 40 goals. The Aalborg, Denmark native was awarded a 7 year contract extension worth 42 million dollars.

Nik and the Jets start the 2017-18 season tonight hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs.
https://twitter.com/NHLJets/status/915613944802398216

CSS RATINGS
With the National Hockey League regular season about to begin, the Central Scouting Services announced their players to watch this year. On the list are four Halifax Mooseheads players currently on the team. Each player is given a rating; A is for players projected to go in the first round, while 2nd and 3rd rounders projected players are rated B and C ratings are those young men projected to go in the 4th rounds or later. There are 4 QMJHL players, Joe Veleno of the Saint John Sea Dogs and our own Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Jared McIsaac and Filip Zadina. Herd goaltender Alexis Gravel is among 10 Q players with a B rating.

For the full list click here.

TOP 10 RANKINGS
This evening, the Canadian Hockey League and BMO released the second regular season top 10 rankings. Halifax stayed in the top ten while a few teams made big jumps in the rankings after starting their seasons 4-0-0-0.

Week 2's CHL Top 10
1. Victoriaville Tigres (4-0-0-0) last week: 2
2. Owen Sound Attack (2-0-0-1) last week: 3
3. Moose Jaw Warriors (4-0-0-0) last week: -
4. Quebec Remparts (4-0-0-0) last week: -
5. Victoria Royals (4-0-0-0) last week: -
6. Portland Winterhawks (2-1-0-0) last week: 4
7. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (2-1-0-0) last week: 5
8. Kelowna Rockets (2-0-0-1) last week: 7
9. Halifax Mooseheads (4-1-0-0) last week: 8
10. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (3-1-1-0) last week: 10

Honourable mention: Flint Firebirds (3-0-0-0), Swift Current Broncos (3-0-0-0), Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (4-1-0-0)

OPENING NIGHT DEBUTS

Photo - Mooseheads website

A few alumni will be making debuts this week. There are 3 former players set to make their opening night debut when the NHL season begins on Wednesday. While all three have already made their NHL debut, none have been on the opening night roster for their respective teams. Timo Meier will start the season tonight when the San Jose Sharks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Meier had the unfortunate situtian last year when he got mono and had to rehab with the AHL's Barracuda. It was also announced earlier this week that Martin Frk and Mackenzie Weegar, who both helped the Moose win a Memorial Cup in 2013, have made their big clubs after spending the majority of 2016-17 in the American Hockey League. Frk had a strong pre-season with the Detroit Red Wings and will open up the season with the Wings on his birthday tomorrow when they host the Minnesota Wild. Weegar will have to wait a little longer to make his opening night debut as the Florida Panthers travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning on Friday. Good luck to all 3 guys this year, Moose Country will be cheering you on hoping you stay in the NHL all year long.

UPCOMING GAMES
Your Halifax Mooseheads continue their homestand this weekend when they play their first games against Quebec teams. The undefeated Quebec Remparts come to town on Friday evening for t-shirt night, a match that can also be seen on Eastlink. On Sunday, Halifax will host the Blainville-Boisbraind Armada in another afternoon game. I'll have tweets from both games and be sure to follow on Instagram as well for pictures and videos.