Things To Look Forward To

September is finally here...that just means one thing is finally coming back, Hockey! Around mid-September the NHL will re-open and training camps will begin. Just a few days after that, preseason games will begin, and even though it may not be your favorite teams best lineup, it's a great way to watch some of the up and coming talent and a good bridge until October 1st, when the regular season opens. 

With that, there are many things good things taking place on the schedule this season. Here are just a few things I'm looking forward to heading into hockey season.

A Full NHL Season: 

Last year, hockey fans were locked out until the early part of 2013. In the end, only 48 regular seasons games and playoffs were scene. Even though it may have been the most exciting hockey season in a few years, nothing can compete with a full 82 game schedule that will feature every team playing one another from now on. With the new divisional setup, things will get interesting with wild-card spots and divisional playoff rivalries. A full 82 game schedule is going to bring a lot of fun and excitement.

Traverse City Tournament: 

Last year, due to the lockout, the tournament was cancelled. This year, it is back on and there will be eight teams competing. These teams are comprised of recent draft picks and young prospects of the eight teams. I'm excited because the Rangers are taking part in it as they do every year, but for any hockey fan it's like watching a good junior hockey game. They will take place in Detroit from September 5-9. The Gordie Howe division will feature the Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues while the Ted Lindsay division will be compiled of the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, and New York Rangers.

World Junior Championship:
This may be my favorite tournament of the year. The best players at the U-20 level competing for their country and hockey development program in a tournament. Every year, the games are action-packed and produce many surprises. The United States will defend their Gold won last year in Ufa, Russia. The tournament will take place in Malmö, Sweden from December 26th until January 5th. It will be a good one with the US and Canada looking good, as well as the hometown Swedes. Anyone can beat anyone in this tournament as seen before.

Olympic Games:
In February, the NHL will halt for 2 weeks and the Olympic Games will take over. Players will compete for their countries in Russia. The Canadiens are heavy favorites once again but a scrappy United States team plus the hometown Russians will be looking to knock them off. The Canadiens biggest question mark is their goaltending while the US and Russia have plenty of top-notch puck-stoppers waiting to jump in.

This is just part of the full-time schedule about to hit this October and last all the way into June of next year. Besides the new NHL format, the league will feature six outdoor games. I'm not sure how good or bad of an idea this is yet but it sure will bring in plenty of fans and revenue for the league and teams involved. Besides the NHL, the Canadian Hockey League will feature the best junior players in the world and the NCAA will have another season full of college hockey passion. It is going to be a great year. It's just about to begin. Enjoy the hockey season everyone!