Prospects Head to Buffalo for Challenge | NOTEBOOK

The Devils will be participating in the 2023 Prospects Challenge at LECOM Harborcenter in Buffalo, NY over the weekend. The team’s 24-man roster arrived in New Jersey Wednesday night, highlighted by defenseman Simon Nemec, and hit the ice for a practice session Thursday morning before taking a bus to Western New York.

All games will be live streamed on NewJerseyDevils.com. The tournament schedule is below...

For more information on the tournament click here.

Stay tuned for updates, interviews and videos here in the Notebook throughout the day.

-Sam Kasan

Wednesday Signings

The Devils made news Wednesday with a couple of roster announcements. The first was the signing of goaltender Keith Kinkaid to a one-year, two-way contract. The other was the signing of forward Max Willman to a professional tryout (PTO). 

Kinkaid is in his second stint with the Devils (previously from 2011-19. He spent parts of nine seasons in New Jersey and has played in 150-plus games with the Devils. Willman has played 50 career NHL games with the Philadelphia Flyers over the past four seasons, playing mostly with Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. 

--Sam Kasan

First Look

Though training is still a week away (players report Sept. 20), in many ways the yearly Prospects Challenge is the official start to hockey season.

“We had a couple days here in Newark to acclimate. Now we head to Buffalo as a team,” Utica head coach Kevin Dineen said following Thursday’s practice. “Things are going to come together pretty quick. We’re not going to overcomplicate things. Let them go out and show their strengths.”

A major advantage for the prospects is that the weekend tournament not only gives them a chance to have some game action and reps prior to the start of main training camp, it also gives them an opportunity to catch an eye or two from the Devils staff.

“It's a chance at rookie camp to make an impression,” Dineen said. “It’s a chance for our players to get eyes on them. Not only our organization. There are scouts from every team. They’ll be at this tournament. So, it’s a good chance for them to get a viewing and go out and perform.”

Clarke, who will serve as an alternate captain over the weekend, is one of those players that will be fighting for a roster spot in New Jersey. And the Challenge gives him a chance for a strong start.

“We’re all young guys and coming off a summer where we got stronger or did different things and It’s time to put it to the test in a real game,” Clarke said. “We worked on systems stuff (Thursday) and putting that to work tomorrow and through the weekend is good.”

--Sam Kasan

Hear from the Prospects

Simon Nemec: "A lot of strength (training in the summer). I think I'm faster than last year. My weight is down, which is great because I can move faster."

Chase Stillman: "(Prospect Challenge) is a stepping stone. ... It's nice to have games under your belt before you go into the camp with all the NHL guys. There's some expectations. I'm a returning player here now, so I hope to make more of an impact at this tournament. That's something I look forward to doing."

Graeme Clarke: "This tournament, being in it in past years, it's 100 miles an hour on the first couple of shifts because everyone is trying to prove themselves. And do something right off the bat. Then it settles in after that. ... Everyone wants to show their best self." 

--Sam Kasan