Wings prospects learned and bonded during development camp

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. - The Red Wings' young prospects are armed with plenty of information, now it's up to them what they'll do with it.
The Wings wrapped up their development camp at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City Tuesday afternoon, five days of on-ice and off-ice instruction, and of course a little fun.

"I"m really happy with it," said Shawn Horcoff, the Wings' director of player development. "The goal of this camp is really just to educate the kids on all the different aspects it takes to become a hockey player, a good NHL hockey player. A lot of information was given to them but I think they retained it. The feedback was good, their effort was excellent. I was really happy with the pace they had in their game. It went great."
The youngsters always have fun in the traditional putt-putt golf tournament and even in the cooking classes, which become a competition, but this year Horcoff wanted to make sure the players had a place to gather when they weren't working.
"We added a commons room this year. That was a big hit," Horcoff said. "For those that don't know, usually NHL teams in the playoffs when they go into road cities they always have a commons room. There might be card tables and ping-pong, there's always a lot of couches and TVs, just an area for everyone to gather and socialize. To me it's just as important for these guys to be comfortable with each other, get to know each other, start relationships as it is on the ice."
Although the players have roommates at camp and might know other guys from previous camps or from college, having one place to hang out was crucial.
"It's natural to get cliques," Horcoff said. "The Euros will be with the Euros, whatever it is. This was a big hit. I went in there the first couple days and there was (no) less than 20-30 guys in there every day. So this is something we'll continue in the future."
That camaraderie is something that defenseman Kasper Kotkansalo, the Wings' 2017 third-round pick, 71st overall, didn't expect.
"I really didn't know that I would make this good friends in a short time," Kotkansalo said. "I only knew a little, Vili Saarijarvi, the Finnish guy, but I've met a ton of friends and it's been awesome. And so many new things I've learned also like on ice, off ice, whether it's like hockey or it's the nutrition or recovery. I've learned a lot."
Center Michael Rasmussen, the Wings' 2017 first-round pick, ninth overall, also got to experience his first development camp.
"I think it's special," Rasmussen said. "I think the first time putting the jersey on on the ice, it's really humbling to be here with the rich history and everyone that's here so I think special just comes to mind."
Defenseman Gustav Lindstrom, the Wings' 2017 second-round pick, 38th overall, was also a first-timer.
"The first two days I was kind of nervous," Lindstrom said. "But under the week, it's getting better and better. I felt more comfortable, so it's been a fun week. "
"From meeting new friends and see the whole organization, talk a new language, talk English so it's been a great week for me, an experience that I really appreciate."
Also taking part in his first development camp was center Zach Gallant, the Wings' 2017 third-round pick, 83rd overall.
Gallant said he learned as much about what he needs to do off the ice as on.
"You really got to keep track of the nutrition," Gallant said. "You gotta make sure you're doing the right things all the time to make sure your body is the best shape it's in. You gotta make sure you recover well, whether it's doing yoga or stretching before and after practice to take care of your body the best possible way you can."
Even those who have been to development camp before, like goaltender Matej Machovsky, say they can still learn new things.
"I'm very happy about the food stuff, what to eat and how to get better," Machovsky said. "The social media is important, too. How to prepare and how to be in social media. We're spending lots of time on the ice, especially the goalies, so I'm going to take everything from it and learn from it."
LINDSTROM ON THE MEND: Lindstrom learned that if Givani Smith is around, you'd better pay attention.
During Sunday's scrimmage, Smith hit Lindstrom and Lindstrom took the brunt of Smith's 6-foot-2, 209-pound frame.
Lindstrom said his head hit the glass and he might have suffered a mild concussion.
"So I haven't been on the ice the two last days," Lindstrom said. "I have talked to the doctors and they say that I should rest at least a few days more. I'm hoping (I'm) getting better and better."
ZABLOCKI WANTED TO SCRIMMAGE: Lane Zablocki, the Wings' 2017 third-round pick, 79th overall, was disappointed he couldn't play in the scrimmage.
"You never want to come in and be injured coming into camp," Zablocki said. "You want to go ahead and give your best effort. I came in and had a little issue with my foot so we're being a little precautionary right now and not trying to over-push it, trying to get better for the start of the season."
Zablocki said he was not sure when he came to camp if he'd be able to go.
"I love to do that but it's really unfortunate that I didn't get a chance to participate in the scrimmage," Zablocki said. "I'm going to have to make a difference and a mark in a different way."
Although he missed a couple of opportunities to skate, Zablocki said he got a lot out of camp.
"I've had a great learning experience on and off the ice," Zablocki said. "It's been unbelievable.
"I've bonded with quite a few guys here, spent time with different groups here. It's a cool experience. I know there's only two other Western League guys so coming in, I didn't really know anyone so it's been a good experience."