Do prospects go to NHL team training camps???!!??

Question

All teams have prospects signed. Do those prospects go to training camp, with an opportunity to make the team OR with the opportunity to be put on a call-up list in case a regular player is injured?

Since this is a yes or no question…

…What prospect have you had your eye on, as a diamond in the rough?

Answer 1

Yea they do. Even if a prospect isn't signed they can go to training camp. First in August NHL teams hold Rookie Camp for all rookies. After that some players are sent back to Junior/college and some are invited back to the team's regular training camp. If they are signed to a contract they can make the team. I don't think there is a call up list a team can call up any player under contract with the team.

As for a player who could surprise everyone. I'll go with Chet Pickard. He was drafted by Nashville 18th overall in the NHL draft. With Nashville not having a really good goalie he could be the backup this year and he will be the starter in a few years.

Also look for Michal Jordan of the Caroline Hurricanes he was a steal in the 4th round. Kelsey Tessier was a steal for Colorado in the same round. They may not make the NHL this season, but they will sometime.

Answer 2

They do here in Tampa.

Answer 3

I imagine it's a team by team situation. In Atlanta, the team runs a prospect camp (last week actually) where they invite up the kids to assess their development and also to give them a taste of what the NHL is like and what is expected of them. Some of the players will be invited back to training camp either because there is a chance they will make the team roster, or with more highly-touted prospects, the team wants to further assess their play and also let the prospects gain more experience against NHL talent.

As for diamond in the rough prospects, I'm looking forward to seeing Machacek at training camp. And the stud Bogosian of course.

Answer 4

all prospects are usually invited to the training camps but the ones who are going back to college dont show up unless its a highly touted first round pick. if you look at the rosters on the islanders website for the prospect camp this week you'll notice that alot of the players are infact college/jr players.

Answer 5

I believe, (correct me if I am wrong everyone) that it really depends on the prospect. I know the Rangers have a few players still in College, and some the still play Juniors, so they wouldn't attend. But the ones that are ready for the AHL/NHL come a get a shot to make the team.

I have my eye on Tomas Zaborsky, a 20 year old 5th round pick for the Rangers in 2006. He put up 70 points in the OHL this year and was a +16 on a team that was pretty average.

Answer 6

I know that the leafs have a prospect camp.. It,s going on right now. But I'm not sure for other teams!

Answer 7

NHL teams have two lists of players

1.  The list of players signed to NHL, 2 way, or minor league contracts - training camp is mandatory for these players

2.  The list of players whose rights are held by the team.  This includes players in college who can't sign a contract/hire an agent, players in junior who have yet to sign a contract (or were drafted so low they weren't offered one yet),  and non-North Americans still under contract to their non-North American clubs.  - these players are notified of the camp (the unsigned juniors are free to attend if their team agrees to it) but don't attend.

   Most teams also invite unsigned players that have potential (minor league free agents, graduates of junior and NCAA programs who are looking for an opportunity, etc) to fill out camp.

   For the upcoming season, I have my eyes on Brunnstrom - he comes with a lot of hype as well as a lot of skills.  Unfortunately I don't think Dallas will be a good fit.  While he may be a great player, great players only put up 60 points in Dallas and that will lead to the casual fan looking at him as a failure.

cdn24fan

College players can only go to NHL team's development camps that are attended by NCAA officials - we wouldn't want any tampering or coercion going on now would we.  It's one of the many archaic rules the NCAA has that needs to be changed in my opinion

Scott D

My son played football at the University of Nebraska (he was a 27th stringer and saw 10 downs of action over 3 years - but his name is on the championship banner in the athletics department) and they were given a 120 page book about proper conduct within the NCAA.  It was far more extensive than the ones the NCAA provides to NHL teams which is only about 30-35 pages.  But you read some of them and you have to wonder if these men will ever be allowed to have a life.

Answer 8

Yes but not really a yes no answer.

There are really 3 types of players who go to camp

NHL regulars under contract- job is usually guaranteed but some borderline guys will lose their job in camp.

Professional age prospects that have a shot at the team but most will end up in the minors.  These are guys that are no longer junior eligible that usually need some seasoning in the AHL before the get their NHL shot.  Some will never get that shot.  Some always surprise at this level and make the team from training camp.

Players who are still Junior eligible.  A team will invite some of its top JR age prospects to the big camp to give them a taste of a professional camp.  Not many will make it in their first shot except the Crosby types, but there are a few each year like Patrice bergeron a few years ago who surprise at camp and make it.  These guys cannot go to the minor league team and must be returned to their junior team if they do not make the big team.

I guess there is a 4th type, drafted players who are still attending college in the states.  I think NCCA rules prevent them from attending the big camp so teams usually have them attend a development camp for non professional prospects  only.

Habs prospect that has caught my eye, Max Pacioretty (spelling is wrong)  picked with the pick they got from San Jose in the Rivet trade, he is going to be a good one in a couple of years.

Answer 9

I <3 LITY.

I would love to start an enormous discussion about all the rules the NCAA should change lol.  I don't know if Y!A could handle the downpour of information though lol.

Answer 10

Ottawa held a prospects camp 3 days after the draft.