Wright, Slafkovsky among NHL Draft prospects at youth clinic

BROSSARD, Quebec --Alessio Marguglio of Montreal learned a very valuable lesson during the Top Prospects Youth Hockey Clinic at Complexe Sportif Bell, the practice facility of the Montreal Canadiens, on Wednesday.

"I learned to never give up and keep on going and I did that and was able to score a goal," the 8-year-old said. "And Juraj (Slafkovsky) gave me a high-five."
Slafkovsky, a left wing with TPS in Liiga, was one of six top NHL Draft-eligible prospects assisting 30 players aged 8-10 in fundamentals during the clinic. He was joined by centers Shane Wright of Kingston (Ontario Hockey League), Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie, each of Winnipeg (Western Hockey League), and center Logan Cooley and left wing Cutter Gauthier, each of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team.
"I enjoyed every second on and off the ice," Slafkovsky said. "It was fun to do that."
Wright, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft, also enjoyed the hour-long event.
"It was a lot of fun going out there with all those kids, spending time with them and just getting away from everything that's going on this week at the draft," Wright said. "To just get on the ice, spend time with kids and have fun out there."
The first round of the draft will be held Thursday at Bell Centre in Montreal (7 p.m. ET; ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS). Rounds 2-7 will be Friday (11 a.m. ET; NHLN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS). The Canadiens have the No. 1 pick, the New Jersey Devils will select No. 2 and the Arizona Coyotes are No. 3.

"I told Shane Wright that two of my cousins were watching and he said, 'Cool, cool,'" Marguglio said. "I liked the part of the clinic where I got to shoot on the goalie and I also liked it when they signed the back of my jersey."
Roberto Marguglio, Alessio's father, was happy his son got the chance to skate with the future stars of the NHL.
"I told him when we got the email that this is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I'm very proud and happy for him," Roberto said. "Hopefully, when he's a little older, he remembers this. Maybe one day, he'll be teaching other boys and girls."
In addition to the prospects, Montreal forwards Jonathan Drouin and Nick Suzuki were on the ice to offer their help.
"They were [in] this same position not too long ago," said Canadiens director of youth hockey development Stephane Verret. "[Drouin] told me 10 years ago, he was here and remembers the moments. He knows what's going on in the minds of the prospects and what the draft is all about. He also can envision being that young kid, doing the drills on the ice. We have counselors who were once part of this camp."

Sarah Hofer of Montreal just enjoyed being on the ice with her friends.
"I like hitting the puck and being on the ice," said the 8-year-old, who began skating in March. "It was nice to see the players; they were bigger than I thought they would be."
Said Geekie: "I'm not sure too many of them knew what we were talking about, but it was a lot of fun. Just going out there, even with the guys and just passing around with each other, was pretty cool."
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