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2011 Florida Panthers Development Camp – a primer

On Tuesday, July 12th, the Panthers will invite 35 prospects (22 forwards, nine defensemen, four goaltenders) to the annual development camp at the Saveology.com IcePlex. Among the bigger names to attend is 2011’s 3rd overall selection Jonathan Huberdeau, all of last year’s first round picks (Erik Gudbranson, Nick Bjugstad, and Quinton Howden), and all-world goaltending prospect Jacob Markstrom.

The camp – which hasn’t been held in quite a few years – is featuring practices open to the public beginning at 9 am on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; admission is free. I will be attending Tuesday and Thursday’s events, so feel free to say hi (I’ll be in the Spezza jersey). A guide to the players involved after the jump…

Skaters

Name Height Weight Drafted Born Birthplace 2010-11 Team Postion
Joe Basaraba 6’2″ 195 Florida Panthers round 3 #69 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft May 2 1992 Fort Francis, ONT Minnesota-Duluth Right Wing
Josh Birkholz 6’1″ 182 Florida Panthers round 3 #67 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft Mar 28 1991 Maple Grove, MN Everett Silvertips (WHL) Right Wing
Nick Bjugstad 6’4″ 204 Florida Panthers round 1 #19 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Jul 17 1992 Blaine, MN Minnesota (WCHA) Forward
R.J. Boyd 6’3″ 190 Florida Panthers round 7 #183 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Feb 7 1991 Fort Myers, FL Chicago Steel (USHL) Defense
Connor Brickley 6’1″ 195 Florida Panthers round 2 #50 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Feb 25 1992 Everett, MA Vermont (H-East) Forward
Adam Comrie 6’4″ 213 Florida Panthers round 3 #80 overall 2008 NHL Entry Draft Jul 31 1990 Asburn, VA Chicago Steel (USHL) Defense
Joonas Donskoi 5’11” 165 Florida Panthers round 4 #99 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Apr 13 1992 Raahe, Finland Karpat (SM-liiga) Forward
Corey Durocher 6’3″ 175 Florida Panthers round 6 #153 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft May 30 1992 Ottawa, ONT Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Left Wing
Rocco Grimaldi 5’6″ 160 Florida Panthers round 2 #33 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft Feb 8 1993 Auburn Hills, MI U.S. National Development Team (USHL) Forward
Erik Gudbranson 6’3″ 195 Florida Panthers round 1 #3 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Jan 7 1992 Orleans, ONT Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Defense
Jonathan Hazen 5’11” 170 Undrafted Jun 18 1990 Val-Belair, PQ Val d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL) Right Wing
Quinton Howden 6’3″ 183 Florida Panthers round 1 #25 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Jan 21 1992 Oak Bank, MAN Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) Left Wing
Jonathan Huberdeau 6’01” 171 Florida Panthers round 1 #3 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft Jun 4 1993 St-Jerome, PQ Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL) Center
Zach Hyman 6’2″ 195 Florida Panthers round 5 #123 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Jun 9 1992 Toronto, ONT Hamilton Red Wings (OJHL) Forward
A.J. Jenks 6’02” 200 Florida Panthers round 4 #100 overall 2008 NHL Entry Draft Jun 27 1990 Wolverine Lake, MI Rochester Americans (AHL) Left Wing
Corban Knight 6’1″ 180 Florida Panthers round 5 #135 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft Sep 10 1990 High River, ALTA North Dakota (WCHA) Center
Derrick LaPoint 6’02” 175 Florida Panthers round 4 #116 overall 2006 NHL Entry Draft May 13 1988 Eau Claire, WI North Dakota (WCHA) Defense
John Lee 6’1″ 180 Florida Panthers round 5 #131 overall 2007 NHL Entry Draft Jan 16 1989 Moorhead, MN Denver (WCHA) Defense
Anthony Luciani 5’08” 190 Undrafted May 13 1990 Maple, ONT Rochester Americans (AHL) Right Wing
Malcolm Lyles 5’10” 180 Undrafted Jul 20 1990 Miami Gardens, FL Vernon Vipers (BCHL) Defense
John McFarland 6’00” 192 Florida Panthers round 2 #33 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Apr 2 1992 Richmond Hill, ONT Saginaw Spirit (OHL) Center
David Pacan 6’03” 205 Chicago Blackhawks round 6 #177 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft Mar 31 1991 Ottawa, ONT Niagara IceDogs (OHL) Center
Alex Petrovic 6’04” 193 Florida Panthers round 2 #36 overall 2010 NHL Entry Draft Mar 3 1992 Edmonton, ALTA Red Deer Rebels (WHL) Defense
Jonathan Racine 6’01” 182 Florida Panthers round 3 #87 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft May 28 1993 Montreal, PQ Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL) Center
Colby Robak 6’03” 207 Florida Panthers round 2 #46 overall 2008 NHL Entry Draft Apr 24 1990 Gilbert Plains, MAN Rochester Americans (AHL) Defense
Eric Selleck 6’02” 195 Undrafted Oct 20 1987 Spencerville, ONT Rochester Americans (AHL) Left Wing
Logan Shaw 6’03” 190 Florida Panthers round 3 #76 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft Oct 5 1992 Glace Bay, NS Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL) Right Wing
Drew Shore 6’03” 190 Florida Panthers round 2 #44 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft Jan 29 1991 Denver, CO Denver (WCHA) Center
Scott Timmins 5’11” 191 Florida Panthers round 6 #165 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft Sep 11 1989 Hamilton, ONT Florida Panthers (NHL) Center
Vincent Trocheck 5’11” 180 Florida Panthers round 3 #64 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft Jul 11 1993 Pittsburgh, PA Saginaw Spirit (OHL) Center
Garrett Wilson 6’03” 206 Florida Panthers round 4 #107 overall 2009 NHL Entry Draft Mar 16 1991 Elmvale, ONT Owen Sound Attack (OHL) Center

Goaltenders

Name Height Weight Drafted Born Birthplace 2010-11 Team
Marc Cheverie 6’02” 185 Florida Panthers round 7 #193 overall 2006 NHL Entry Draft Feb 22 1987 Cole Harbour, NS Rochester Americans (AHL)
Brian Foster 6’02” 175 Florida Panthers round 5 #161 overall 2005 NHL Entry Draft Feb 4 1987 Pembroke, NH Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL)
Sergei Gayduchenko 6’05” 222 Florida Panthers round 7 #202 overall 2007 NHL Entry Draft Jun 6 1989 Yaroslavl, Russia CSKA Moscow (KHL)
Jacob Markstrom 6’03” 178 Florida Panthers round 2 #31 overall 2008 NHL Entry Draft Jan 31 1990 Gavle, Sweden Rochester Americans (AHL)

A few quotes from the Scouting Report about some Panthers prospects.

2010 Draft Picks

Joe Basaraba

Kind of stagnated a bit during a second season with Shattuck St. Mary’s, but there is still a lot of potential for the lanky forward to develop. He has a decent scoring touch and will likely use the full four years at Minnesota-Duluth to work on adding strength and finding consistency in his game.

Nick Bjugstad

Bjugstad had a tremendous season with Blaine, winning the Minnesota Mr. Hockey award as the top high school hockey player in the state. He’s a huge, imposing center, who plays effectively at both ends of the ice. He’s set to attend the University of Minnesota where he should be able to step in and contribute right away.

Connor Brickley

Brickley has size and offensive ability which could elevate him into the top two rounds. He does, however, need to work on competing harder for loose pucks and battling in the corners more. He’s committed to the University of Vermont for the fall of 2011, and is a player who still has a lot of potential to improve in the next few years.Joonas Donskoi

Donskoi has been hidden beneath the shadows of Mikael Granlund and Teemu Pulkkinen this year, but has still developed into a solid prospect. He was very strong in the Jr A. SM-Liiga and also saw time with Karpat in the SM-Liiga as his quality offensive skills allowed him to make the jump to a higher level as a 17 year old.

Erik Gudbranson

Gudbranson had a very strong sophomore year despite having the season hampered by an injury as well as a lengthy bout with mono. He’s a big, raw defenseman, who has considerable upside that should come to fruition in the next few seasons. He oozes class and has exceptional character as well and has captain material in him down the road.

Quinton Howden

The former first overall pick in the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft, Howden was a very strong player for the Warriors this year as a sophomore. He’s one of the top skaters in the CHL, and has an effortless stride. Put that in combination with a good scorer’s touch and a 6’3″ frame and you have the makings of a quality winger with good professional potential.

John McFarland

McFarland came into the season with very high expectations, and failed to live up to them after a mediocre showing. Despite what many would consider to be a disastrous year, McFarland is a player that plays a lot better with high caliber players, leading to the notion that he might actually be a better professional player, then in the OHL. He’s got NHL speed, and an NHL shot, but his lack of hockey sense and poor positional play will be the biggest detriments to his development.

Alexander Petrovic

Petrovic had a good draft year, establishing himself in the late first to early second range. He plays a very rugged style and does a good job of utilizing his size and physicality. The offensive skills are starting to emerge, and he’s been doing a good job of using his shot, but his role at the next level projects to be a physical two-way defender at this point.

2011 Draft Picks

Rocco Grimaldi

Easily one of the more skilled players available in the draft, Grimaldi has a proven track record of production at every level. Strong work ethic and dedication to the game have enabled him to develop skills in skating, passing, shooting and puck handling that could comprise a video on “How To….” All indications are that he’ll keep developing as he moves up the ladder. The only obvious knock is his size.

Jonathan Huberdeau

Huberdeau’s meteoric rise continues as the lanky center has worked his way inside our Top 5 after a brilliant second half to the season. The 17-year-old was one of the most dangerous players in Major Junior hockey all season and has an explosive dynamic that few others in this class can match. At this point, you can easily make the argument that Couturier and Huberdeau are neck in neck with each other, but we feel there is just a bit more risk with Huberdeau’s translating in comparison to Couturier’s.

Logan Shaw

Shaw started to find his game during his third year in the QMJHL and could be a bit of a sleeper to look out for given his large frame and unpolished game. The Mooseheads winger was one of the bright spots on a pretty poor club last season and has pretty good goal scoring instincts and has the ability to get things done. As mentioned, he’s pretty raw and is definitely a risky project, but in a draft that starts to thin out after the second round, he could be worth the risk.

Vincent Trocheck

Trocheck was one of the top players with the Saginaw Spirit this past season and does a lot of things well, but lacks a defining quality to his game. A little undersized, Trocheck isn’t blazing fast and doesn’t quite have the talent to consistently be an offensive threat; also being guilty of taking some shifts and games off. When he’s on, Trocheck is a player that has some decent upside as he has a pretty nifty snap shot and isn’t afraid to use it. He also will take his game to the front of the net and some of the areas that teammate Brandon Saad tends to avoid. If Trocheck were a little bigger or more dynamic, he could make a case to be in the Top 60, but in this draft, he’s better suited to be selected somewhere around the 3rd or 4th round.

Here’s a list of the top 15 prospects listed by Hockey’s Future of the Florida Panthers, italic indicates they will be at the development camp.

  1. Jacob Markstrom, G
  2. Erik Gudbranson, D
  3. Nick Bjugstad, C
  4. Colby Robak, D
  5. Michal Repik, RW
  6. Quinton Howden, LW
  7. John McFarland, C
  8. Alexander Petrovic, D
  9. Evgeni Dadonov, RW
  10. A.J. Jenks, LW
  11. Drew Shore, C
  12. Josh Birkholz, RW
  13. Marc Cheverie, G
  14. Garrett Wilson, LW
  15. Connor Brickley, C

I’ll be reporting on Tuesday and Thursdays development camps, feel free to leave your own opinions and post photos in the comments on how the players performed in camp.

Here are a few links to get you pumped…

Jacob Markstrom and Erik Gudbranson

Nick Bjugstad

Colby Robak

Garrett Wilson

Malcolm Lyles

Rocco Grimaldi

Full Roster / #

Forward

  • Basaraba, J. – 59
  • Birkholz, J. – 53
  • Bjugstad, C. – 39
  • Brickley, C. – 46
  • Donskoi, J. – 54
  • Durocher, C. – 54
  • Grimaldi, R. – 48
  • Hazen, J. – 70
  • Howden, Q. – 42
  • Huberdeau, J. – 11
  • Hyman, Z. – 50
  • Jenks, AJ – 59
  • Knight, C. – 78
  • Luciani, A. – 80
  • McFarland, J. – 45
  • Pacan, D. – 79
  • Selleck, E. – 76
  • Shaw, L. – 68
  • Shore, D. – 40
  • Timmins, S. – 75
  • Trocheck, V. – 67
  • Wilson, G. – 57

Defense

  • Boyd, RJ – 84
  • Comrie, A. – 56
  • Gudbranson, E. – 44
  • LaPoint, D. – 81
  • Lee, J. – 81
  • Lyles, M. – 85
  • Petrovic, A. – 72
  • Racine, J. – 58
  • Robak, C. – 47

Goal

  • Cheverie, M. – 31
  • Foster, B. – 33
  • Gaiduchenko, S. – 29
  • Markstrom, J. – 25

Talking Points