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P.E.I. to be renamed Charlottetown Islanders: Friday’s coast-to-coast

Neate Sager

Combing all corners of the country and the blogosphere for your junior hockey headlines ...

WHL

Top draft prospect Seth Jones has never played in a game in Edmonton. He was supposed to this one time, at this event called the world junior championship. (Edmonton Sun)

Familiarity should quickly breed contempt between Edmonton and Portland. (The Columbian)

No Griffin Reinhart, no problem, say the Oil Kings. (Edmonton Journal)

But for a twist of fate, Oil Kings wing and recent Colorado Avalanche signing Trevor Cheek might have been a Winterhawks. (The Columbian)

Corbin Boes has the task of being the overage goalie who can lead the Lethbridge Hurricanes into the playoffs. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

Brandon Wheat Kings GM Kelly McCrimmon's moves to nab centre Nolan Patrick and defenceman Kale Clague in the bantam draft were "larcenous," in the view of Rob Vanstone. (Regina Leader-Post)

Vancouver Giants first overall pick Tyler Benson is a sponge for information about hockey. (Vancouver Province)

Patrick Khodorenko of Walnut Creek, Calif., was the first U.S. player taken, going to Everett at No. 26 overall. Will that pan out for the Silvertips, who also took forward Tyson Jost at No. 7? (Everett Herald)

OHL

Ex-Knight Andreas Athanasiou says coming back to London to play in the OHL final with Barrie is "just another series." If you believe that, you also believe astronaut Marc Garneau being snubbed from an event celebrating the Canadarm had nothing to do with his party affiliation. (London Free Press)

Morris Dalla Costa likes London over Barrie in six games. Plus the Knights have experience. (London Free Press)

Colts defenceman Aaron Ekblad, on being the series underdog: "Every team has its time and here in Barrie we feel it's our time." (Windsor Star)

Nothing beats a little trash talk between Barrie and London news outlets over the series. Just make sure it doesn't sink to a "FIRST BLOOD" front page with a photo of a player bleeding profusely. Because who would stoop to that? Oh. (Metro London)

Can the Colts match the Knights' focus for the full 60 minutes? (The Barrie Examiner)

Peterborough Petes GM Mike Oke hopes to have "meaningful discussions" with U.S. under-18 team grads Connor Clifton and Steven Santini, who each have NCAA commitments. Neither is at this weekend's Petes development camp. (Peterborough Examiner)

Guelph Storm GM Mike Kelly essentially signalled the Royal City gang will be buyers come August: "This is the first year we’ll be in the top 20th percentile in experience and age. In the past couple of years we were probably only in the top 40 or 50th." (Guelph Tribune)

Mississauga Steelheads goalie Spencer Martin got a shot of confidence for winning gold for Canada at the IIHF world U18 championship. (Mississauga News)

Some heavy hearts in OHL circles today after the passing of Gary McCarthy, whose long career in journalism included three decades at CBC before getting into the writing game by covering Brampton and both Mississauga-based franchises. (Mississauga News)

QMJHL

Say hello to the Charlottetown Islanders. (CBC PEI)

Who to watch in the President's Cup final. (Hockey Prospect)

Blainville-Boisbriand Armada forward Cédric Paquette has signed his first pro contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. (La Presse)

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet. Please address any questions, comments or concerns to btnblog@yahoo.ca.