As July 1st quickly approaches, most of the hockey world is discussing free agency. Simultaneously, we’re also just a few days away from the other annual summer tradition, Development Camp. In fact, dozens of the Kings top prospects will be arriving in Los Angeles over the weekend, with on-ice activity expected to begin on Monday at the team’s training facility in El Segundo.
In years past, most prospects aged out of Development Camp after around three years pro, so the status of some ‘older’ prospects may be in question. Below is a list of some of the top names expected to attend (with a link to the full roster provided near the end of this article):
Forwards:
#52 – Mike Amadio – third round (90th overall) in 2014 – North Bay Battalion, OHL
#44 – Mikey Eyssimont – fifth round (142nd overall) in 2016 – St. Cloud State
#83 – Matt Schmalz – fifth round (134th overall) in 2015 – Sudbury Wolves, OHL
#51 – Austin Wagner – fourth round (99th overall) in 2015 – Regina Pats, WHL
#20 – Spencer Watson – seventh round (209th overall) in 2014 – Kingston Frontenacs, OHL
Defensemen:
#58 – Erik Cernak – second round (43rd overall) in 2015 – Kosice HC, Slovakia
#34 – Kale Clague – second round (51st overall) in 2016 – Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL
#36 – Jacob Friend – seventh round (202nd overall) in 2016 – Owen Sound Attack, OHL
#78 – Steven Johnson – fourth round (120th overall) in 2014 – University of Minnesota
#57 – Jacob Moverare – fourth round (112th overall) in 2016 – HV71 Jrs, Sweden (confirmed to MM)
#82- Chaz Reddekopp – seventh round (187th overall) in 2015 – Victoria Royals, WHL
#81 – Matt Roy – seventh round (194th overall) in 2015 – Michigan Tech, WCHA
#87 – Damir Sharipzyanov – free agent signing 2015 – Owen Sound Attack, OHL
Goalies:
#23 – Alec Dillon – fifth round (150th overall) in 2014 – Tri-City Storm, USHL
#65 – Jack Flinn – undrafted signee 2016 – Mississauga Steelheads
OTHER NOTES:
* It has been confirmed to MayorsManor that Alexander Dergachyov, the Kings third round selection in 2015 (St. Petersburg Jrs., Russia) will not be attending Dev Camp this year.
* A few camp invitees have already been announced…
Add G @JonahImoo (Jonah Imoo) – son of LA goalie coach @Dusty70 – to list of netminders invited to Kings Dev Camp https://t.co/MjFBKUya8y
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) July 4, 2016
* A trio of players from an AEG-owned team in Europe, Eisbären Berlin – forward Sven Ziegler, plus defenseman Kai Wissmann and Jonas Müller.
More Kings Development Camp news… goalie SamuPerhonen, #Oilers 2nd rdpick in 2011, will be in Los Angeles as an invitee
— The Mayor John Hoven (@mayorNHL) June 30, 2016
(correction, he was a third round pick by Edmonton)
Warriors goalie Brody Willms will attend LA Kings upcoming development camp
— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) June 26, 2016
To see our most recent rankings of the Kings’ Top-10 Prospects, click here. This camp will serve as part of the evaluation process for the next edition of the rankings, which should publish right before Rookie Camp opens in September.
The official Dev Camp roster is now available here.
As for the Dev Camp schedule, there are usually separate groups for the forwards, defensemen and goalies running from about 8:00-11:30am daily. Then, a full session with all prospects typically follows later in the afternoon, around 3:00pm. Per team officials, the Kings are no longer releasing an official schedule. However, from what we’ve been told, things are expected to follow a similar timeline to years past.
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
Any idea why dergachyov isn’t attending camp? Possible this player follows route of Prokhorkin and just not interested in grinding out a Kings contract.
Seems like a huge development. Will Dergachyov play in the states this year? He looked very promising, (massive and strong on the puck with some skill, if a bit slow) in the Winter games.
Dergachyov has at least two more years left in the KHL, per his contract extension this past April.