With this year’s NHL draft in the books, it is once again time for teams to host their development camps. During their camps, NHL teams showcase the next generation of talent in a series of practices and scrimmages that are open to the public to watch.
Not only do these development camps showcase some of the best players in hockey leagues around the world, but NCAA collegiate players also show out. Here are some college superstars who really shined at development camp.
Macklin Celebrini with the San Jose Sharks
It seems appropriate to start with the number one overall pick from this year’s draft, Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini just finished his freshman year at Boston University, where he had an incredible year.
He became the fourth freshman in NCAA history to win the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, becoming the youngest recipient at 17 years old. He was also named First Team All American and the National Rookie of the Year. At the San Jose Sharks’ development camp, Celebrini wowed coaches with his maturity and competitive nature, which was especially evident on the ice.
“His competitiveness on those [on ice] battles was impressive…He was getting inside on guys bigger than him, stronger than him. Able to maneuver those situations, I think he does that really well,” said AHL affiliate San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy in an interview with NBC Sports.
Zeev Buium with the Minnesota Wild
Next is Zeev Buium, who was drafted 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in this year’s draft. Before his collegiate career, Buium was a member of the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he led all U-18 defensemen in points. Like Celebrini, Buium also had a spectacular freshman year at the University of Denver. During this time he was a member of the NCAA national championship-winning team and he recorded the most assists ever by a freshman in school history.
Though he was ranked fourth among all North American skaters going into the draft, many were shocked when Buium fell to the 12th pick. He’s a strong two way defenseman and is looking forward to improving as much as possible and learning from his peers. According to an interview during his media availability at camp, Buium is excited to soak up the experience and embrace his time in St. Paul this summer.
Seamus Casey and Ethan Edwards with the New Jersey Devils
Moving further east to New Jersey, next are Seamus Casey and Ethan Edwards, who were drafted 46th overall in the 2022 draft and 120th in the 2020 draft, respectively. Both of these players have been part of the backbone of the University of Michigan’s hockey program for the past few years.
Casey, who just finished his sophomore year, was named a First Team All American, First Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Tournament Team member. Edwards, who is a rising senior, missed the first part of the season due to an injury but was able to come back to help his team make the Frozen Four.
Both players were named as standouts in the Devils’ development camp. After being told last summer to work on playing more defensively and signing his ELC in May, Casey came back this summer prepared to showcase his defensive talents. He's aware that making an NHL team is hard but is excited to play a more competitive style of hockey.
“I want to do my best to make the team, and if not they can put me wherever they think is best for me, slot me wherever they think I’ll develop the most, or wherever I can best help the organization,” Casey said in his media availability.
Edwards was described by spectators as a joy to watch at camp this year. He displayed that he is not only a defender, but that he has an offensive flair as well. This is his third development camp with the Devils, and he wanted to show them all that he has done to improve.
“[I want to] Continue to work on my defensive game,” Edwards said in an interview with reporter Catherine Bogart. “Be okay with nothing happening out there and shutting down their [the other team’s] top players is kind of the priority for me. My two-way game comes naturally, so jumping up the play is kind of second nature to me so sometimes I have to tone it back, but just pick my spots."
Isaac Howard with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Then there is Isaac Howard who was drafted 31st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2022. Howard went into development camp after his sophomore year, which was a big year for him.
First, he transferred from the University of Minnesota-Duluth to Michigan State University, where he led his team in points per game average and was a member of the Big Ten Tournament winning team.
While at development camp, he didn’t take his foot off the gas, leading his team to victory in the 3v3 tournament on the last day. During his availability last week, Howard stated that he had gotten faster and stronger through his success from this past year and that he wanted to get the most out of the development camp experience. Howard hopes that all this winning can show how much he has improved in order to make the team.
As the summer continues to progress, development camps will continue to take place across the NHL. Wherever these players and the others alongside them go from here, whether that be back to school, their respective leagues, or begin their entry level contracts, it will be exciting to see how the next generation of NHL talent will improve from now until next year.
Edited by Emma Habel
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