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It is the season of the rookie in the NHL, and not just because of high-scoring forwards like Torontos Auston Matthews and Winnipegs Patrik Laine, or Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray. The biggest surprise of this season is how eight teams are using rookies on their top defensive pairing.Looking back through recent history, it is unusual for there to be more than one or two particularly exceptional defensemen to play on the top pair in their rookie season. In 2015-16, for example, there were only occasional stretches of the season when rookies like Carolinas Jaccob Slavin, Edmontons Darnell Nurse and Philadelphias Shayne Gostisbehere were on the top tandem. Right now, there are eight rookies being employed on the main duo.Not every team is using a rookie defenseman in the top two for the same reason. Some teams are blessed with one of those rare and particularly talented prospects, like Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, while other teams have an elite veteran who is capable of guiding a young apprentice, like Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings or Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins. Some teams have been hit with so many injuries that they are left with few alternatives, like the Vancouver Canucks.Heres a ranking of the eight rookie defensemen being used on the top unit this season, and how they have fared so far: Cheap Stan Smith NZ Shoes . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Adidas Stan Smith NZ . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. http://www.wholesalestansmithnz.com/ . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. Wholesale Stan Smith NZ From China . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Wholesale Adidas Shoes NZ . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. AMHERST, Mass. -- DeJon Jarreau scored 16 points, including the final five points of the last 34 seconds, to power UMass past Temple 70-67 on Thursday night.Jarreau took a jab-step and pulled up from the wing for a 3-pointer that made it 68-67 for UMass (2-1) with 34 seconds left. After Daniel Dingle missed a 3 for Temple (1-2) with 11 seconds left, Jarreau slipped behind the defense for an outlet and breakaway layup to cap the scoring.Quinton Rose missed another 3 for the Owls and LLuwane Pipkins secured the rebound for the win.ddddddddddddNeither team led by more than three points for the final 17:07 and Temple took a 67-65 lead on Alani Moore IIs jumper with 50 seconds left.Donte Clark added 14 points and Rashaan Holloway scored 11 for the Minutemen.Obi Enechionyia had 26 points and made 5 of 10 from 3-point range to lead the Owls. ' ' '