In his final year of junior eligibility, Cruickshank was fourth in the scoring race with 61 goals and 134 points.

The end of the 2010-2011 season saw Brad Thiessen age out of junior eligibility.

There are no age restrictions for senior players, who typically consist of those whose junior eligibility has expired.

"They're giving us the opportunity," said Pederson, who, at the age of 19, has a year of junior eligibility left.

Nevertheless, Blackburn, who has two more seasons of junior eligibility, is a long shot to make the team.

He played the final two seasons of his junior eligibility with Truro.

In fact, because of the rules governing players like Maholtra who still have junior eligibility remaining, the Rangers have had their hands tied all season.

Blackburn, who was named the top goaltender in Canadian major junior hockey last season, has two more years of junior eligibility remaining.

Edwards, who has junior eligibility because he missed all of last season with a back injury, took the same gamble.

Niedermayer still has two years of junior eligibility.