Here are the Devils NCAA and CHL prospects:
Advanced to Pros:
David Wohlberg C, Corbin McPherson D, Scott Wedgewood G
New Additions:
Stefan Matteau LW, Damon Severson D, Ben Johnson LW/C, Ben Thomson LW, Graham Black C, Alex Kerfoot C, Artur Gavrus LW/C
Gone:
Patrick Daly D (Transfer to D3 St. Thomas), Mauro Jorg RW (Not Signed)
NCAA:
Michigan: Jon Merrill D (JR)
Minnesota: Seth Helgeson D (SR)* Will wear an A this year.
Wisconsin: Joe Faust D (JR)
Ohio State: Curtis Gedig D (JR)
North Dakota: Derek Rodwell LW (JR)
Miami: Blake Coleman C (SO)
Michigan Tech: Blake Pietila LW (SO)
QMJHL:
Blainville-Boisbriand: Stefan Matteau LW (1st Year)
OHL:
Sarnia: Reid Boucher LW (2nd Year)
Windsor: Ben Johnson LW/C (2nd Year)
Kitchener: Ben Thomson LW (4th Year)
WHL:
Swfit Current: Reece Scarlett D (4th Year) Graham Black C (2nd Year)
Kelowna: Damon Severson D (3rd Year)
BCHL:
Coquitlam Express: Alex Kerfoot C (2nd Year)
Belarus:
Neman Grodno: Artur Gavrus LW/C
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The first camp of the summer involving Devils prospects is team USA's National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid. Players are competing for a spot on the WJC team. The camp has been split into two teams (Blue vs. White) with Devils prospect's Reid Boucher, Stefan Matteau, and Blake Pietila on the White team. Coming into the camp here is what Chris Peters wrote on his fantastic blog, the United States of Hockey:
Reid Boucher — Sarnia Sting — NJD, 4th, 99, 2011 — Of the players in camp, Boucher might be the most natural goal-scorer, with his ridiculous release and penchant for big goals. He scored eight, almost all of them hugely important, at the 2011 World U18s. Boucher doesn’t have great size, but he’s strong on the puck. He’s also not the best skater in the world, which could hold him back. Boucher is really going to need to convert on the opportunities he’s expected to in camp to prove he can bring that nasty goal-scoring touch to this team. With his international track record, I think Boucher is going to be given every opportunity to earn a spot on this squad.
Stefan Matteau — Blainville-Boisbriand Armada — NJD, 1st, 29, 2012 — After being barred by the IIHF from participating at the World U18s for Team USA on a bogus eligibility issue, Matteau has been cleared to play for the U.S. going forward. It’s a good thing, too. Matteau has power-forward skills including powerful skating, strength on the puck and the ability to throw his weight around. He should have a productive first half in his first season in the QMJHL, but can also give himself some early positioning for a spot on Team USA with a breakout performance in camp. Having lost the U18 world championship as a crucial evaluation event, Matteau should come out flying in Lake Placid. His first-round pedigree and edgy game make him an early favorite to make the final roster.
Blake Pietila — Michigan Tech University — NJD, 5th, 129, 2011 — Though tucked away at Michigan Tech, Pietila put together quite a freshman season for the Huskies. He tallied 24 points including 10 goals, but his real value is in his ability to play defensively. Pietila would be an ideal candidate to match up against opponents’ top lines in a shut-down role. He can grind it out with the best of them and has the strength and the motor to be successful. Pietila is good on the forecheck, he can get some minutes on the penalty kill and yes, he can pop in the odd goal. His grind-it-out, blue-collar style could be just what this team needs in Ufa. If he shows that style in camp, he’ll position himself well for December.
Here is where these guys stand through the first two intrasquad scrimmages: Boucher (1-1-2), Matteau (1-0-1 2 PIM), Pietila (0-0-0)
Each split squad will play a scrimmage tomorrow (White vs. Sweden 4:30), then the roster will be cut down and the rest of the schedule is USA vs. Finland on Wednesday at 4:00, USA vs. Sweden on Thursday at 4:00, and USA vs. Finland on Saturday at 1:00.
Edited by thefiestygoat, 20 September 2012 - 07:10 PM.
