Boston’s Brad Marchand has put himself in the mix for a roster spot with Team Canada. (Fred Kfoury/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

Safe to say, yesterday’s GM meetings in Toronto achieved little of note. They made some headway in the effort to further shrink the size of goalie equipment — although really, how much smaller can it get before we recognize the goalies themselves aren’t getting any smaller and we need to take a serious look at increasing the size of the nets? They moved toward increased use of video review in the shootout to determine if forward motion has been derailed and to double-check high-sticking calls.

Surprising they had time to get all that done and still eat lunch…

But even if they failed to get it together on much-needed items like hybrid icing and the coach’s challenge, the trip to Hogtown was hardly a loss, especially from the Olympic perspective.

Both the American (yesterday) and Canadian (today) brain trusts met to further discussions ahead of Sochi. And with fans waiting for the NHL and NHLPA to commit to the 2014 games, any news/rumors that come out of those gatherings will be welcome.

Steve Yzerman, the executive director of the Canadian men’s team, convened today with his management team — St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong, Detroit GM Kenny Holland, Edmonton Oilers president Kevin Lowe, Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland and Hockey Canada vice president Brad Pascall — to discuss players contending for roster spots. Although it’s thought that as many as eight forwards and five defenseman are inked in, there’s plenty of action on the fringes that the group will have to ponder.

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This is one promotion that Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov should be on board for. (Mark LoMoglio/Icon SMI)

By Allan Muir

Proving once again that there is no tie-in that is too much of a stretch for that galaxy far, far away, the folks at LucasFilm are teaming up with USA Hockey for a special Star Wars night on Mar. 24.

The members of the U-18 USA National Team Development program will wear this special patch on their sweaters when they host Youngstown in their season finale.

Hockey fans (and, presumably, Star Wars completists undeterred by the last three films) can pick up one of these very limited patches for themselves at the game, with all proceeds going to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.

Apparently, popular Star Wars characters will also be on hand, which I guess rules out an appearance by this guy,, but should lead to lots of embarrassing photos that will come back to haunt some of these guys when they’re NHL stars.

I have a feeling this photo may come back to haunt Seth Jones.

Phil Housley (far right), who led Team USA to the gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championships, coached a team at the 2012 All-American Prospects Game in Buffalo last September. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

The 2013 NHL Entry Draft is still five months away, but the stage already is being set for a bumper crop of American talent in 2014.

USA Hockey announced today that the All-American Prospects Game would be held at Pittsburgh’s Consol Energy Center on Sept. 26.

The game will showcase 40 of the top American-born players who are eligible for the 2014 NHL Draft, drawn from the U.S. National Team Development Program, the CHL, USHL, NCAA and U.S. high schools.

The inaugural edition of the event was held last September in Buffalo and featured players such as Seth Jones and Ryan Hartman, both members of the 2013 World Junior Champions and certain first-round picks this June.

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Joe Louis Arena in Hockeytown is just one of the sites across the U.S. that will host games and events. (Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

By Stu Hackel

It’s “Hockey Weekend across America,” a celebration of the game that also includes the NHL and NBC’s “Hockey Day in America” on Sunday. This nationwide initiative, which USA Hockey inaugurated five years ago, actually began today with “Wear Your Jersey Day” — and if you didn’t pull one on to go to work or school, consider wearing one tonight. I’m sitting at the computer wearing a circa 1962-63 Baltimore Clippers sweater with one of my favorite logos — and, yes, it’s really a sweater although, alas, a replica. I used to listen to the Clippers’ AHL games long distance over WBAL in the early ’60s. It’s a good, warm sweater and in pretty good shape, even though the sleeves are big to fit elbow pads under them. Makes it a bit difficult to type.

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