Under-18 World Championship News, CHL Second Round of Playoffs and the NCAA Frozen Four begin tonight, and a few amateur tryout and entry-level contracts signed…

Huge news about the IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship in Grand Forks, N.D. Multiple reports indicate Russia will replace their entire under-18 roster with their under-17 roster for the tournament that begins next week because more than half of the 30 players at their evaluation camp have tested positive to meldonium, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Full story from TSN Hockey Reporter Frank Seravalli can be found here with all the details on this developing story. This has major ramifications to the development of Russia's young players at the international level.

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CHL Round 1 Playoffs have come to an end, now it's time for the second round to begin. Below are my first round stats, the second round matchups and my predictions for each series.

OHL – Eastern Conference (6-2 in first round)

Kingston Frontenacs (1) vs. Niagara IceDogs (4) – Prediction: Frontenacs in 6

Barrie Colts (2) vs. North Bay Battalion (3) – Prediction: Colts in 6

OHL – Western Conference

Erie Otters (1) vs. Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (7) – Prediction: Otters in 5

London Knights (3) vs. Kitchener Rangers (4) – Prediction: Rangers in 6

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WHL – East Division (5-3 in first round)

Brandon Wheat Kings (1) vs. Moose Jaw Warriors (3) – Prediction: Wheat Kings in 6

WHL – BC Division

Victoria Royals (1) vs. Kelowna Rockets (2) – Prediction: Royals in 6

WHL – Central Division

Red Deer Rebels (2) vs. Regina Pats (1^st  Wild Card) – Prediction: Pats in 7

WHL – US Division

Seattle Thunderbirds (1) vs. Everett Silvertips (2) – Prediction: Thunderbirds in 5

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QMJHL (4-4 in first round)

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (1) vs. Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (13) – Prediction: Huskies in 4

Shawinigan Cataractes (2) vs. Charlottetown Islanders (9) – Prediction: Islanders in 7

Saint John Sea Dogs (3) vs. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (7) – Prediction: Sea Dogs in 5

Gatineau Olympiques (5) vs. Moncton Wildcats (6) – Prediction: Gatineau in 6

WHL Top Scorer: Adam Brooks (2016 draft eligible) – 5-9-14 in five games.

OHL Top Scorer: Spencer Watson (LAK) – 3-12-15 in five games.

QMJHL Top Scorer: Timo Meier (SJS) – 8-5-13 in four games & Francis Perron (OTT) – 3-10-13 in four games.

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With some of the CHL teams finishing off their seasons, a bunch of players have been signing Amateur Tryout Contracts (ATO) with AHL teams over the past couple of days;

Hunter Warner (Prince Albert Raiders, WHL) has signed an ATO with the Iowa Stars (Dallas affiliate)

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Jacob Middleton (Ottawa 67's, OHL) has signed an ATO with the Ontario Reign (Los Angeles affiliate)

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Jackson Houck (Calgary Hitmen, WHL) has signed an ATO with the San Antonio Rampage (Colorado affiliate)

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Anthony Cirelli (Oshawa Generals, OHL) has signed an ATO with the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay affiliate)

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Mitchell Stephens (Saginaw Spirit, OHL) has signed an ATO with the Syracuse Crunch (Tampa Bay affiliate)

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A couple of drafted or free agent college players who have signed contracts;

Dylan Margonari signed an ATO with the Hershey Bears after finishing his final year at Minnesota State University this year.

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University of Michigan forward Tyler Motte signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks for $2.775 million, cap hit of $925,000.

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Boston University goalie Sean Maguire signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins for $1.85 million, cap hit $705,000. Maguire was drafted in 2012 by Pittsburgh 113th overall.

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Yale University goaltender Alex Lyon signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers worth $1.85 million, cap hit $925,000.

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The WHL, Portland Winterhawks goalie Adin Hill signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes worth $2.755 million, cap hit $725,833. Hill was drafted in 2015 by Arizona 76th overall.

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Defensemen Andreas Englund, who played for Djurgardens IF of the SHL, has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators worth $2.775 million, cap hit $775,883.

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Seth Jones’ younger brother and also a defensemen, Caleb Jones has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers worth $2.4 million, cap hit $705,000.

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Frozen Four begins Thursday evening!

First up, number one seed Quinnipiac faceoff against Boston College at 5:00pm.

Number three seed North Dakota goes up against Denver University at 8:30pm.

The winners of those semifinal games will meet up Saturday, April 9th at 8:00pm.

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The QMJHL Awards were held last night, a couple of trophies were handed out to the winners:

Michel Brière Memorial Trophy – Most Valuable Player: Francis Perron (OTT)

Jean Béliveau Trophy – Top Scorer: Conor Garland (ARI)

Jacques Plante Memorial Trophy – Top Goaltender: Chase Marchand (Undrafted, '95 born)

Emile Bouchard Trophy – Defenceman of the Year: Samuel Girard (2016 draft eligible)

Michael Bossy Trophy – Top Prospect: Pierre-Luc Dubois (2016 draft eligible)

RDS Cup – Rookie of the Year: Vitaly Abramov (2016 draft eligible)

Frank J. Selke Memorial Trophy – Most sportsmanlike player: Samuel Girard (2016 draft eligible)

Marcel Robert Trophy – Best Scholastic Player: Alexis D'Aoust (2016 draft eligible)

Paul Dumont Trophy – Personality of the Year: Pierre-Luc Dubois (2016 draft eligible)

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Feel free to leave comments, questions or concerns below, have fun playing the game of Fantasy Hockey.

Paul Zwambag
@zwambag