As head coach of Canadas junior mens national team, Roy Rana has worked with the countrys brightest talent, and having coached the likes of Tristan Thompson and Andrew Wiggins among others, knows what separates the good from the elite. NHL Jerseys 2020 . Coincidentally, it only took two summers for Tyler Ennis to prove he could make the jump, during which, Rana witnessed a maturation in the Brampton, Ont. native, that makes his standout play leading the undefeated Syracuse Orange (18-0) a logical progression rather than a surprise. During the 2012 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, the 6-foot-2 point guard endured an arduous tournament, struggling in pressure situations. Matchups and defensive schemes posed challenges for Ennis as the Canadian squad had a strong showing, but lost to the host Brazilians 66-62 in the semifinal round. As a result, Rana and his staff talked with Ennis extensively regarding his leadership and need to carry the team. Ennis took the direction and loss to heart and came back a reinvented player the following summer at the FIBA Under-19 World Championship. “It was amazing to see his transformation within that year,” Rana said. “Just how much more confident he was in himself, how much more assertive, how much more of a leader he was. He really started to understand the subtleties of how to impact his teammates.” This time around Ennis was also asked to shoulder Canadas scoring load, something he did effortlessly. Ennis averaged a tournament leading 20.9 points, outscoring projected 2014 NBA lottery picks Marcus Smart, Dante Exum, Dario Saric and Aaron Gordon. By riding that performance into his freshman season at Syracuse he has been a steadying force, toning down his scoring to facilitate the team offence, but also making key baskets when needed. Ennis averages 11.9 points per game and shoots 40 percent from the three-point line and leads the Orange with 5.5 assists and 2.7 steals per (the latter, good for ninth in the nation). His numbers and Syracuses record make a very strong case that Ennis is the best point guard in college basketball right now - regardless of class. Despite his solid stats he maintains the individual numbers and accolades arent his ambition. “I dont really have any personal goals,” Ennis said. “I just want us to win the ACC and I know its close to impossible to go undefeated in a college season, but to just get better as a team and lose the least amount of games.” Syracuse has yet to lose and Ennis wont concede a loss to anyone, not even his own family. His older brother Dylan, a sophomore guard for the number four ranked Villanova Wildcats squared off against his younger sibling when both teams met in late December. Tyler was all business in that game scoring 20 points in a 78-62 Syracuse win, but still values the advice his brother gave him on preparing for his first year at the collegiate level. “He always told me to get in the gym by myself and work on my own stuff,” Ennis said. “Just get in the gym as much as possible, while taking care of your body.” Ennis wasnt overlooked coming into the season, but not even the most optimistic experts pegged him as a one-and-done NBA prospect. Ennis had other plans however. “Thats pretty much what I worked for,” he confidently said. “Not to be one, but to just have the opportunity to get to the professional level. Not to leave, but just to have the opportunity.” Still, he hasnt given leaving after his first year any consideration and is only focused on winning games for Syracuse. But ?talent evaluators are starting to take notice that his play to date says first round pick far more than it says first-year student-athlete. “Absolutely, I think hes a one-and-done guy,” Rana said. “Its his choice, does he want to come back for a second year of college, or does he want to go to the NBA? If Im a GM and Im drafting, hes certainly a guy I would be going after pretty hard. Hes going to be a fantastic pro, a great NBA player and whatever organization he goes to, theyre going to be a better organization because of it.” Regardless of his future, Ennis is focused on the madness of March. His maturity, ability to score, pass and affect the game in a myriad of ways is no longer a surprise to anyone. The summer ahead could prove to be even more promising than the last, particularly if he chooses to forego his college eligibility for the NBA Draft, making another jump, this time to the highest level. NHL Jerseys . The move is retroactive to Aug. 1. Hosmer was originally hit on the hand in the first inning of a July 20 loss to Boston. He has played most of the time since, but missed a few contests due to the injury, then departed Thursdays win over the Twins and had tests that revealed the fracture. Authentic NHL Jerseys . On Saturday, the paths of Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn cross again as opposing quarterbacks. https://www.cheapnhljerseysjustwholesale.com/ . Hughes, 30, is a former Major Leaguer with the Baltimore Orioles, having played in 14 games with the Os in 2010. He played with Class AA Binghamton of the Eastern League in the New York Mets system last season. VANCOUVER -- Nicklas Jensen is likely not being sent back to the minors any time soon. The Vancouver Canucks rookie helped keep his teams flickering playoff hopes alive Wednesday night as he scored the only goal his team needed in a 2-0 victory over the Nashville Predators. It was Jensens third goal in four games, and also just the third of his NHL career. The Danish rookie has only played seven games this season since being promoted from the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League because of injuries to forwards Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. "Its huge," said Jensen of his high-scoring ways. "Its tough to know what to expect when you get up here. The way weve been playing, its been really well. "So Im happy with it. We just need to keep it going and play this way." Jensen and Alex Edler scored one minute 13 seconds apart in the third period to break open a scoreless affair. The Canucks (32-30-10) posted their fourth win in seven games, but remained in 10th place while pulling within three points of eighth-place Phoenix. The win was timely because the Canucks remained a point up on the Winnipeg Jets, who beat Colorado earlier Wednesday night. Nashville (29-31-10) is in 12th place, dropping five points behind the Jets. Vancouver goaltender Eddie Lack made 30 saves for his fourth shutout of the season -- tops among NHL rookies -- as the Predators enjoyed a 30-22 edge in shots. "Im the first one to say I havent got to my best games so far and it feels good coming out with a shutout tonight for sure," said Lack, who has inherited the No. 1 role following Roberto Luongos trade to Florida. Jensen finally opened the scoring as he picked up a loose puck while Nashville defenceman Seth Jones was checking Henrik Sedin, and then roofed a shot over Nashville goaltender Carter Huttons outstretched glove. "Henrik got the puck," said Jensen. "It was kind of scrambling and bobbling on his stick and he somehow he found a way to slide it over to me, and I just tried to release it and put it on net. "The guy (Henrik Sedin) can do a lot of things a lot of guys cant do. Thats also why hes so unique and one of the best players in the world. "When I came up here and heard that I could play with him, I knew I was gonna be ready." The 21-year-old Jensen, Vancouvers top draft choice in 2011 (29th overall), is proving himself at the NHL level in his first full season in North America. He was returned to the Ontario Hockey Leagues Oshawa Generals after he was drafted, and then split last season between a Swedish team and Vancouvers former Chicago Wolves AHL affiliate. Along he way, he has battled injuries and inconsistency. But he is proving himself to be a quick offensive study, with only nine NHL career games under his skates, after dressing for two last season. He is also impressing Canucks coach John Tortorella with his two-way play. "For a young guy, his positioning with the puck and without the puck, its really good," said Tortorella. The demanding Canucks coach said Jensen has thrived after starting slowly after his promotion. "I heard him say something wheere he really struggled early on, which he did, and then he just started getting some puck luck after that, and it just relaxed him," said Tortorella. Wholesale NHL Jerseys. "He doesnt think about it. He just plays." Edler gave the Canucks a 2-0 lead on a power play as he slid a slapshot between Huttons outstretched leg and the right post. The goal came only five seconds after Nashville defenceman Victor Bartley was penalized for interference. The puck went in while the infraction was being announced over the public address system. The Canucks were playing their first game back home after a four-game road trip. The Predators completed their third straight series of back-to-back games within nine days. Accordingly, neither team could muster a goal in the first two periods. Tortorella said fatigue took a toll on his club. "I dont think we played that well in the first period. I dont think we won many battles. I thought, in the second period, we started winning some battles. a Going into the third period (it was) next goal wins." The Canucks did not get a shot on goal until 9:27 of the first period. Vancouver then enjoyed a spurt of offence, dominating with teams at full strength, but could not be Hutton. The Preds controlled play for the rest of the period, but could not beat Lack. The Canucks goaltender denied Gabriel Bourque from close range following an odd-man rush. Near the end of the period, Lack stopped Patric Hornqvist twice on one-timers that occurred within a few seconds of each other. In the second period, Hutton stopped Edler as he came out of the penalty box, took a pass and rushed down the right wing. Moments later, Hutton foiled Dan Hamhuis on a wraparound and Alex Burrows on the ensuing rebound. "I thought it was a pretty even game," said Nashville coach Barry Trotz. "Both teams had some looks and were just not scoring easy right now. The Preds were shut out for the ninth time this season as their playoff hopes grew slimmer. "Weve got to get some goals for our goaltender," said Trotz. Notes: The Canucks lost Burrows for a while after Jensens goal as he appeared to be slashed on the left hand by Preds captain Shea Weber as the puck went in. Burrowss glove came off on the play, but he was able to come back. Tortorella said Burrows will be evaluated Thursday. a Nashville centre Paul Gaustad was injured when Canucks defenceman Edler checked on a breakaway and proceeded to fall on him in the first period. Gaustad went to the dressing room and did not return. a Tortorella said defenceman Chris Tanev will be out three to four weeks with a broken finger suffered while blocking a shot Monday in Tampa Bay. If the Canucks miss the playoffs, he could be done for the season. No updates were given on injured centre Ryan Kesler and winger Daniel Sedin, who remain out indefinitely with undisclosed ailments. a Canucks centre Brad Richardson returned after missing seven games with an undisclosed upper-body injury. a Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis and his family donated $55,000 in conjunction with a local radio station to the teams charitable childrens foundation. ' ' '