A trio of projected first-round picks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft have been invited to play in USA Hockey's fourth annual All-American Prospects Game.
Forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Kieffer Bellows, along with defenseman Chad Krys, were among 42 players named to the roster Wednesday.
The game will take place September 24 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
“This game provides the best U.S. players eligible for next year’s NHL draft the opportunity to showcase their skills on a national stage,” USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations Jim Johannson said.
“We’re excited to return to Buffalo and with input from NHL Central Scouting, we’re certain fans in the region will enjoy the chance to see future stars of the NHL, some who are very likely to one day wear the Sabres jersey.”
Tkachuk, the son of former NHL forward Keith Tkachuck, committed to play this season with the London Knights after posting 38 goals and 96 points in 65 games with the U.S. National Team development program in 2014-15.
Krys notched 20 points in 22 games on the blue line for the NTDP team last season.
Bellows, the son of former NHLer Brian Bellows, was named the USHL's Rookie of the Year after scoring 33 goals and collecting 52 points in 58 contests for the Sioux Falls Stampede.
Auston Matthews, the projected first overall pick in 2016, was not invited. He signed with the Zurich Lions of Switzerland's National League A in early August.
