Panini America on Location: Preparing for the 2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase

TORONTO, Ontario — A hearty, hockey-loving contingent from Panini America flew north of the border Sunday morning to begin making final preparations for the 2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase, a mega two-day event that will give Panini America photographers and product developers unparalleled access to images, autographs and memorabilia from 27 of the NHL’s top rookie prospects.

Headlining this year’s event at the MasterCard Centre will be Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the first overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, as well as fellow top-five picks Gabriel Landeskog (No. 2 overall, Colorado Avalanche), Jonathan Huberdeau (No. 3 overall, Florida Panthers), Adam Larsson (No. 4 overall, New Jersey Devils) and Ryan Strome (No. 5 overall, New York Islanders). 

Stay tuned to The Knight’s Lance all week long for unparalleled coverage of the 2011 NHLPA Rookie Showcase, including behind-the-scenes images and interviews that you simply just won’t find anywhere else.

Other top young player scheduled to attend:

Jake Allen (St. Louis Blues)
Carter Ashton (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Brett Connolly (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Simon Despres (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Cody Eakin (Washington Capitals)
Ryan Ellis (Nashville Predators)
Tim Erixon (New York Rangers)
Justin Faulk (Carolina Hurricanes)
Jake Gardiner (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Blake Geoffrion (Nashville Predators)
Brandon Gormley (Phoenix Coyotes)
Adam Henrique (New Jersey Devils)
Zack Kassian (Buffalo Sabres)
Carl Klingberg (Winnipeg Jets)
Marcus Kruger (Chicago Blackhawks)
John Moore (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Greg Nemisz (Calgary Flames)
Aaron Palushaj (Montreal Canadiens)
David Rundblad (Ottawa Senators)
Jussi Rynnas (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Brendan Smith (Detroit Red Wings)
Mika Zibanejad (Ottawa Senators)