Neilson was a third-round NHL draft pick by Edmonton Oilers in 1994

A team of past and present Nottingham Panthers players took part in an ice hockey tournament against players from the world's top league, the NHL.

The Montreal Stanley Keg is an annual competition and the team were beaten three times by more experienced sides.

Panthers coach Corey Neilson said: "Playing against NHL 35-goal scorer and captain of Buffalo, Jason Pominville, was a great experience for all.

"We also played against Alex Burrows of the Vancouver Cannucks."

Held in Montreal, eight teams compete for a trophy which is an actual beer keg with a cup. It looks similar to the famous Stanley Cup which is competed for in the NHL in North America.

�QUIPE HABITATIONS C & L Sam Bullas Ross Dalgleish Dominic D'Amour Matt Haywood Robert Lachowicz Mario Laroque (Salzburg) Stephen Lee Pascal Morency (Bridgeport) Corey Neilson Tom Norton Steve Pelletier Olivier Proulx (Tours) Bruce Richardson Michel Robinson Mathieu Wathier (Tours)

The Nottingham representatives played under the banner of a French-Canadian side by the name of Équipe Habitations C & L.

Led by Corey Neilson and Bruce Richardson, new signings Dominic D'Amour and Stephen Lee were joined on the blueline by Tom Norton.

Ross Dalgleish, who joined the Panthers last week also played, as did Nottingham-trained youngsters Sam Bullas, Matt Haywood and Robert Lachowicz.

Former Panthers players Steve Pelletier and Michel Robinson were also part of the team.

Neilson added: "It was a great experience for us all, especially the youngsters.

"Bullas and Haywood played on a forward line with me. These two young men were excellent line-mates and I would say that they impressed all.

"On the blueline, Tom Norton stepped in and did an excellent job alongside former first round NHL pick Mario Laroque.

"Nortz also got a chance to play with Steve Pelletier and new signing Dominic D'Amour. Dominic is in fantastic form and is shaping up to be a dominant defender in our league capable of contributing in a lot of ways on the ice.

Any one of my scoring wingers are going to be in for an unbelievable season playing with this guy Panthers coach Corey Neilson on centreman Marty Gascon

"Ross Dalgleish put in very strong performance on the puck and notched himself a goal and assist.

"Lacho and Steve Lee also put in strong performances and I was so pleased with everyone's effort and confidence on the puck.

Neilson also had the opportunity to see new signing Marty Gascon in action on one of the opposing teams.

"It was also my great privilege to see our new star centre Marty Gascon play, he's going to be good," Neilson added.

"Any one of my scoring wingers are going to be in for an unbelievable season playing with this guy."

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