Leafs Give Schenn The Nod To Open The Season With The Big Club
Posted October 6, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s not a case of where or when but now and Schenn.
The Leafs have confirmed that they’ll start the season with highly touted defenceman Luke Schenn on their roster. The 18-year-old Saskatoon native has been outstanding in the pre-season, but many weren’t sure he was ready for the big time at such a young age.
But when he had the kind of training camp effort that made a believer of even the most skeptical fan, the Leafs had no real choice but to keep him on the bench and give him the chance to blossom in the real season.
Schenn may be a familiar face this year, but you won’t be seeing Mark Bell’s visage any more. The Buds have put the sometimes troubled 28-year-old on waivers and he’ll be gone from the team by the time the season starts.
Bell had 10 points in 35 games for the Leafs last year. But he missed two months with a broken orbital bone and was forced to serve a 15-game suspension after a controversial drunk driving conviction.
It’s not clear if anyone will pick him up.
Another one who won’t be there on opening day is troublemaker Ryan Hollweg – but not for the same reasons. The Leaf pest received an automatic two-game suspension after picking up his third boarding major in a 41-game span. It means he’ll also miss Saturday’s home opener against the Habs.
Schenn, meanwhile, will get to prove himself to any lingering doubters when the Leafs start their season on Thursday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings.
At 18, he’s still a kid but he’s not the youngest to ever earn a berth in the NHL. That honour belongs to the legendary “Bep” Guidolin, who started with the Bruins back in 1942-43. His age then? Just 16.
Photo credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images
