A couple of Prince George Cougars have been invited as free-agents to attend NHL Rookie Tournaments this week.
20-year-old defenseman Joel Lakusta will be with the St. Louis Blues at the eight-team Traverse City Rookie Tournament, in Traverse City, Michigan, starting Friday.
Last season, Lakusta set career highs in goals (nine), assists (33) and points (42) in 70 games with the Cougars.
Forward Jackson Leppard will suit up for the Tampa Bay Lightning at the three-team Prospects Showcase, in Estero, Florida, beginning Saturday.
In the 2017-18 season. Leppard notched 15 goals and 36 points in 68 regular season games.
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The Cougars have cut nine players to get their roster down to 27: three goalies, eight defensemen and 16 forwards.
The number includes the Cougars two first-round selections in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, forward Craig Armstrong and goalie Tyler Brennan.
Prince George will play a pair of pre-season games this weekend in Langley, against the Vancouver Giants Saturday night at 7 and against the Victoria Royals Sunday at noon.
The Cougars only home pre-season game is scheduled for September 15th vs. Kamloops.