From July 3rd to 7th, the Toronto Maple Leafs will host their annual Development Camp at Ford Performance Centre. This event is a critical opportunity for both drafted prospects and undrafted invitees to showcase their skills, work closely with NHL coaches, and receive valuable feedback for their development.
The camp will kick off on July 2nd with medical evaluations, followed by the first full-team on-ice session and media availability on July 3rd. The camp will feature a mix of practices, skill development sessions with coaches, and culminate in an exhibition game.
Key Highlights:
Roster Composition: The camp will see participation from 46 players, including 27 forwards, 15 defensemen, and 4 goaltenders.
Draft Picks: 17 of these players are Maple Leaf draft picks, spanning from the 2020 to the 2024 NHL Drafts.
2024 Draft Picks: Miroslav Holinka, Sam McCue, Ben Danford, Victor Johansson, Matthew Lahey, Nathan Mayes.
2023 Draft Picks: Easton Cowan, Hudson Malinoski, Noah Chadwick.
2022 Draft Picks: Nikita Grebenkin, Brandon Lisowsky, Fraser Minten, Nicholas Moldenhauer.
2021 Draft Pick: Vyacheslav Peksa.
2020 Draft Picks: Artur Akhtyamov, John Fusco, Joe Miller.
NHL and AHL Contracts: Three players on NHL contracts (Braeden Kressler, Jacob Quillan, Cade Webber) and five on AHL contracts (Matthew Barbolini, Jacob Bengtsson, Chas Sharpe, Marko Sikic, Sam Stevens) will also attend.
Undrafted Free Agents: A significant portion of the camp will include 22 free agent invitees.
The camp provides these players an opportunity to impress the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff and management. For some, like past attendees Sean Durzi and Mac Hollowell, it could be a stepping stone to being drafted or signed by the team. For others, it’s a chance to gain experience and feedback that could be pivotal in their hockey careers.
Development and Evaluation
Assistant General Manager, Player Development, Hayley Wickenheiser, along with her staff, will oversee the camp. This ensures a high level of expertise and attention to the development of each player.
What to Watch For
Standout Performances: As in previous years, the scrimmage at the end of the camp will be an opportunity to see who stands out. Last year’s camp highlighted several players who made significant impressions.
Potential Signings: Keep an eye on undrafted players who might earn contracts based on their performance during the camp.
Stay tuned for a detailed analysis of the camp, focusing on which invitees might be interesting prospects for the Maple Leafs to consider in the future.