The Buffalo Sabres are about to embark upon the last scheduled meaningful hockey event (barring a trade or big signing) of the summer – their annual prospect development camp.
The team is expecting 40 prospects to show up for a few days worth of drills, practices, and educational seminars of some kind educating them on not only the Sabres style of play, but also what it takes to become a successful NHL player.
You may recall the excellent Beyond Blue and Gold video that detailed last year’s camp experience, and featured the Sabres prospects being put through the ringer by Navy SEALs out at Woodlawn Beach as part of a giant team building exercise. No word thus far on any crazy antics during this camp, but we’ll see what comes out as camp opens to the public today.
There are practices scheduled for the next two days, and camp will culminate with a scrimmage on Friday. Any DBTBers planning on going? Which prospect are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments.
Here’s the schedule, courtesy of Sabres.com:
Development Camp Schedule
Wednesday, July 10
Group 1: 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Group 2: 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 11
Group 1: 10:30 a.m. – Noon
Group 2: 2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Friday, July 12
Blue & Gold Scrimmage – Begins at 4 p.m.
And the roster, also courtesy of Sabres.com:
2013 NHL Draft
D Rasmus Ristolainen (Round 1-No. 8 Overall)
D Nikita Zadorov (1-16)
LW J.T. Compher (2-35)
C Connor Hurley (2-38)
RW Justin Bailey (2-52)
RW Nicholas Baptiste (3-69)
G Cal Petersen (5-129)
RW Gustav Possler (5-130)
D Anthony Florentino (5-143)
C Sean Malone (6-159)
C Eric Locke (7-189)2012 NHL Draft
C Mikhail Grigorenko (1-12)
C Zemgus Girgensons (1-14)
D Jake McCabe (2-44)
C Justin Kea (3-73)
C Logan Nelson (5-133)
G Linus Ullmark (6-163)
D Brady Austin (7-193)
RW Judd Peterson (7-204)2011 NHL Draft
C Daniel Catenacci (3-77)
C Colin Jacobs (4-107)
D Alex Lepkowski (5-137)
G Nathan Lieuwen (6-167)
C Brad Navin (7-197)2010 NHL Draft
D Mark Pysyk (1-23)
D Jerome Gauthier-Leduc (3-68)
C Kevin Sundher (3-75)
D Matt MacKenzie (3-83)
RW Christian Isackson (7-203)2009 NHL Draft
D Brayden McNabb (3-66)
G Connor Knapp (6-164)Free Agent Signings
G Andrey Makarov (Signed 2012)
RW Jonathan Parker (Signed 2011)
D Chad Ruhwedel (Signed 2013)
C Tim Schaller (Signed 2013)
C Phil Varone (Signed 2012)
Undrafted Invitees
F Andrew Black
D Kevin Czuczman
F Tyler Gjurich
C Alex IafalloNote: LW Joel Armia (drafted by the Sabres with the 16th overall pick in 2011) and LW Johan Larsson (acquired via trade in 2013) have prior personal commitments and are unable to attend. The roster is subject to change.