Many prospects come through the CHL leagues: the QMJHL, the OHL, and the WHL. The Tampa Bay Lightning have had three prospects eliminated from the playoffs just recently. They are all eligible to join the Syracuse Crunch for the remainder of the season, much like defenseman Libor Hajek.
Center Brett Howden of the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), winger Dennis Yan of the Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL), and forward Otto Somppi of the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) have had their team eliminated. Howden and Somppi’s teams were expected to be eliminated because they were mid-level for their league. Shawinigan was supposed to be a threat to win the QMJHL championship, so their elimination came as something of a surprise.