Development Camp

I know its been a long time since I've written, but its been a very busy week around here. The Bruins of the future just finished up their development camp at Ristuccia Arena, the Bruins training facility in Wilmington, Mass. For some reason, gas in Wilmington is always around $.50 cheaper than everywhere else, why? Back to hockey, alot of the young prospects made a good impression on the Bruins coaching staff. I was going to write about the players, but Fluto Shizawa from the Globe did a good review, and I'm going to post that below. One of the off-ice highlights for the guys at camp was a trip to Fenway Park, during which Zach Hamill and Tuukka Rask appeared on the Pre-Game Show and Hamill threw out the first pitch. All the players enjoyed a private box, on which was for many of them, their first trip to Fenway, or for some the first pro baseball game of any kind. Here is Fluto's analysis of the prospects in camp:

Byron Bitz
Good size and good hands... Needs to pick up his skating and play more physical.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Chris Collins
In much better shape than when he arrived in training camp last season... Decent speed and hands... Needs to be scrappier and play with an edge.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Alain Goulet
Fluid skater with good skill set... Needs to put on bulk and develop in college.
2007-08: Nebraska-Omaha (CCHA)

Zach Hamill
Has skill set as advertised by his draft position... Can create offense in tight spaces... Average skating and good release... Projects to be solid two-way center.
2007-08: Everett (WHL)

Matt Hunwick
One of the most impressive players in camp... Terrific skater and excellent hockey sense... Strong for his size and not afraid to mix it up... Could get an NHL callup sooner rather than later. 2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Martins Karsums
Bowling ball of a player who can skate well and has decent hands... Needs to stay healthy as second-year pro... Might be a third-line winger in the NHL in coming years.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

David Krejci
Far and away the best player in camp with the best skill set... Showed last year that he's capable of dominating AHL... Held back in camp but plays with an edge... Should be a big-leaguer, depending on how Claude Julien deploys his forwards.
2007-08: Boston (NHL)

Mikko Lehtonen
Smooth skater for a player his size... Good release on a heavy shot... Must play more physical.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Milan Lucic
Skilled for a big man and responsible on defense... Can see with several more years of development that he could be a good NHLer... Good straight-ahead skater, but needs to move on quick movement.
2007-08: Vancouver (WHL)

Adam McQuaid
Size makes him a commodity... Needs to work on side-to-side skating... Could use a few more pounds to play the physical game.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Radim Ostrcil
Raw but has skill set that coaches can work with... Fluid skater with good release if not the hardest shot... Could become an offensive defenseman.
2007-08: Ottawa (OHL)

Wacey Rabbit
Has skill set similar to Martins Karsums... Good skater with okay hands but tireless worker... Third-line winger in pros.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Tuukka Rask
Has the tools (size, quickness, athleticism, awareness) to become elite netminder... Competes and shows confidence on and off the ice... Must put on pounds.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)

Kevin Regan
Solid performer who will turn out to be a bargain... Hard worker who understands how he can play and what he needs to do... Will carry a heavy workload for the Wildcats.
2007-08: New Hampshire (Hockey East)

Denis Reul
Considered a project but did everything asked of him in camp... Projects to be a defensive defenseman who can hit and play the rough stuff... Will benefit from several years in major junior.
2007-08: Lewiston (QMJHL)

T.J. Trevelyan
Went undrafted and under the radar, but showed as first-year pro in 2006-07 that he can score goals... Not the best skater but puts himself in position to contribute offensively... Could be a midseason callup if Bruins need scoring help.
2007-08: Providence (AHL)