The youngest and the brightest players from 19 Junior C teams representing three different leagues took part in the 2008 Junior C Prospects game at the New Tecumseth Recreation Complex last night (Tues., Nov. 18).

Players born in 1991 and 1992 from the Georigan Mid Ontario Hockey League, the Western Junior C Hockey League, and the Central Ontario Junior C Hockey League were eligible. The annual game gives rookies the chance to strut their stuff against players of the same age and talent from other leagues in front of scouts. In all, 40 young players hit the ice for the game.

Director of hockey operations for the Alliston Hornets, Clay Birkett said the hockey governing body asked that the game be played in Alliston for several reasons.

"The OHA contacted us. They needed somewhere to have the game. We have the nicest facility and it's central to everybody, and they asked if we would put it on," he said.

Although most of the players were 16-year-old rookies, some 17-year-olds were eligible as well.

"Ninety percent of them are rookies," Birkett said of the players on the ice. "Every team is only allowed to have one '92 (Player born in 1992). There's only seven 16-year-olds out of our league."

The game attracts the attention of hockey scouts who come out to watch the game and make notes.

"It's a showcase for OHL scouts, tier-two scouts, and Junior B scouts. We had a sign-in sheet and there are 20 scouts here tonight. There's drafted players and un-drafted players here, so some of these kids could be drafted next year in the OHL, but some have already been drafted. It's more to show the young talent in the Junior C league and show that it's not a fighting league and a goon league, and that's what this game is about. It was a quick, clean, fast game."

Players were divided randomly based on position between the two teams with blue and red jerseys.

The first two periods were scoreless with a lot of fast-moving plays from end to end.

Brendan Nicholson of the Mitchell Hawks opened the scoring four minutes into the third period with an assist from the Uxbridge Bruins' Matt McGuckin to give the Red team a one-goal lead.

Joel Alton of the Kincardine Bulldogs got the second Red goal at the 10:23 mark with an unassisted effort to give the Red squad a 2-0 win over the Blues.