It's shaping up to be a banner year for the National Hockey League draft - at least for Toronto, and in particular Etobicoke.
Ironically when Toronto held the Top Prospects Game last year at the Air Canada Centre, there were no Toronto participants, unless you count Dougie Hamilton of the Niagara IceDogs who grew up in Toronto, but has lived in St. Catharines with his family since 2008.
But now with this year's game being slated for Wednesday, Feb. 1 in Kelowna, there are six local players set to make the long flight.
The Top 40 draft-eligible players from Canada's three major junior leagues have been invited by the NHL to strut their stuff in advance of this year's draft.
The local contingent - all playing in the Ontario Hockey League - includes:
* Malcolm Subban, 18, goaltender, Belleville Bulls. He's from Rexdale, his older brother P.K. plays for Montreal, his father is a principal at a North York public elementary school and his younger brother Jordan also plays for the Bulls. Malcolm was the Ontario Hockey League's goalie of the month for December and he's continued his hot hand into January leading the OHL in both goals against average (1.93) and save percentage (0.938) through his first 19 games. He played his club hockey with the Toronto Marlboros. He is the top goalie listed in the NHL's mid-term rankings
* Adam Pelech, 17, defence, Erie Otters. The Etobicoke native is a former student at Bishop Allen Academy, suiting up for their varsity hockey team. He played his club hockey with the Toronto Marlboros. He's listed 54th in the NHL's mid-term draft prospect rankings. This year's stats: 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games/plus-15/120 penalty minutes. Brother Matt Pelech, a defenceman, is currently in the Amerian Hockey League with Worcester Sharks and has played five games at the NHL level for the Calgary Flames in the 2008-'09 season, recording three assists.
* Matt Finn, 17, defence, Guelph Storm. From Etobicoke, he suited up for the hockey team at Michael Power/St. Joseph High School when he attended there. He played his club hockey with the Toronto Marlboros. He is the top local skater in the NHL's mid-term draft rankings at 15th. This year's stats: 30 points (6 goals, 24 assists) in 38 games/minus-four/42 penalty minutes.
* Gemel Smith, 17, centre, Owen Sound Attack. He played on the varsity junior hoops squad for Thistletown Collegiate in Etobicoke when he attended there. He played his club hockey with the North York Rangers. He is ranked 20th in the NHL mid-term draft prospects. This year's stats: 44 points (19 goals, 25 assists) in 46 games/plus-12/38 penalty minutes.
* Tom Wilson, 17, right wing, Plymouth Whalers. Tom Wilson suited up for Greenwood College on Mount Pleasant Road when he attended there. He played his club hockey for Toronto Jr. Canadiens and is ranked 33rd in the NHL's mid-term draft prospect rankings. This year's stats: 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 39 games/plus-15/120 penalty minutes.
* Scott Kosmachuk, 18, right wing, Guelph Storm. Ranked 23rd among draft-eligible North American skaters in the NHL's mid-term rankings. Played in the GTHL for Toronto Marlboros. This year's stats: 41 points (22 goals, 19 assists) in 45 games.