Red Wings prospects taking away lessons, bonds from 2022 Development Camp

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings' promising young prospects concluded 2022 Development Camp on Thursday morning at the BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena, competing in a three-on-three tournament that saw Team Draper defeat Team Watson, 3-1, in the championship game.

Speaking to the media in a free agency Zoom call on Thursday afternoon, Red Wings executive vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman described this year's camp as "excellent."
"I thought Danny Cleary and our entire staff did a really good job in preparing it and organizing the camp," Yzerman said. "The feedback and watching the players, they really seemed to enjoy all the different aspects of the week."

Although the players' five-day schedule of on-ice and off-ice training is wrapped up, Red Wings forward prospect Theodor Niederbach knows plenty of hard work is ahead.
"You take the things you have learned in the week and keep working on that stuff on your own," said Niederbach, who was Detroit's 20th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. "Or with the team you are on."
This past season, Niederbach had nine goals and seven assists in 51 games for the SHL's Frolunda HC. According to the 20-year-old, his overall game has improved while playing in Sweden's top hockey league.
"You play against full-grown men," Niederbach said. "It's tough every game. The SHL is a good league and every team is good."
Niederbach, who will suit up for Rogle BK in the 2022-23 season, said he's excited for the next step in his professional hockey career.
"Frolunda is a good club and I've learned a lot from them," Niederbach said. "I felt that I wanted to try something new. I know that Rogle is a good team, and both (William) Wallinder and (Moritz) Seider have been there and had huge development."

Niederbach is also focused on developing physically before making the extended trip to North America.
"I wanna get faster and stronger," Niederbach said. "I want to be good at the SHL level before I go over here."
Another Red Wings prospect anxious to compete on the North American-sized ice sheet is defenseman Simon Edvinsson, who was delighted to wear the Winged Wheel at camp.
"It was great to get to know everyone and to see all the guys working here," Edvinsson said. "I'm gonna be here for three weeks now. I'm gonna be more familiar with the place (Little Caesars Arena) and with Detroit in general, so it's gonna be a good time."

Selected sixth overall by the Red Wings in 2021, Edvinsson said his focus shifts to the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. Edvinsson is one of eight Detroit prospects who will be playing in the international tournament, which will be held from Aug. 9 - 20 at Rogers Place in Edmonton.
"After that, I'll try to develop every day just to take a place in the roster next season," Edvinsson said. "That's my goal, so hard work and everything will be needed."
Edvinsson, who signed a three-year entry-level contract with Detroit on April 24 after tallying 19 points (2-17-19) in 44 games last season with Frolunda HC, is motivated after watching current Red Wings players like Seider and Lucas Raymond transition from the SHL to the NHL.
"Both are really good players," Edvinsson said. "I can just practice hard to be able to make the same journey as they did."