- Development Camp was the first chance for the Devils' 2023 Draft class to show what they can do. And after their collective performance in the scrimmage, the scouting staff is no doubt pleased with their selections.
To recap, the team selected forward Lenni Hameenaho (second round, 58th overall), forward Cam Squires (fourth, 122nd), defenseman Chase Cheslock (fifth, 154th), forward Cole Brown (sixth, 164th) and defenseman Daniil Karpovich (sixth, 186th). With the exception of Karpovich - who did not attend - the rest of the class showed well.
Hameenaho really shined during the 3-on-3 sessions Wednesday night where his team won the tournament and he posted two goals, three points in the championship game. In the scrimmage, Hameenaho showed his toughness by taking the body and playing more physical than is typically expected during a summer camp scrimmage. He showed his willingness to take a hit to get to the dirty areas of the ice. And his stick hanling skills, especially in tight situations, were as advertised.
Brown was the scrimmage MVP with his two goals, including the game-winner. Brown buried a shot in the slot after a nice feed from Jaromir Pytlik. With the game tied at 3-3, Brown's shot in the left circle went off the stick of Charlie Leddy and into the game for what would prove to be the deciding goal.
Squires' speed was very evident tin the scrimmage. He snapped in a goal, showing the hands that tallied 30 times in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season with Cape Breton.
Cheslock is a big body at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. He towered over many of the other prosects, had a long stick and even rubbed out a player into the boards.
- Though his Team Red would lose in the end, goaltender Jakub Malek was a star during camp. He played very well in the 3-on-3 scrimmage, even recording a shutout in one contest. The Czechia native was under a lot of pressure during the second period of the scrimmage. He made a beautiful split pad save on Artem Shlaine to keep the game tied at 3-3. The only goal the 6-foot-4 tender surrendered was deflected off of his own defenseman's stick.
- Of all the players at camp, the one that really caught my eye the most was defenseman Seamus Casey. His skating is top level. He's very shifting, pivots strong and can change direction fluidly. He's very poised with the puck and always had his head up looking to make plays. The University of Michigan defenseman is heading back to college for his sophomore season, but definitely left a mark on the Devils staff.
- It was a good scrimmage for some familiar names. Brendan Fitzgerald, the son of Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, and Cam Recchi, the son of former Devils assistant coach and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Recchi, both scored during play. Though he didn't score, Will Dineen, son of Utica head coach Kevin Dineen, did have a very strong showing during the 3-on-3 session Wednesday night scoring a couple of goals. All were in camp on a tryout basis.
