Just when you thought it was time for a break from hockey — and perhaps a small window to resume your summer — wrong! From what we’ve been able to gather, the Kings are pulling the final details together on the return of Development Camp.
It might have a slightly different name this year, perhaps Conditioning Camp, but it’s essentially the same thing. This will be a chance for the organization to meet with the majority of their young prospects for about a week at the team’s training facility in El Segundo, beginning around August 23.
As we’ve noted a few times on recent Kings Of The Podcast episodes, the timing of the event this year is a bit tricky. Normally, it’s held around July 1, which is the perfect gap in the hockey calendar, allowing all prospects to attend. Because of the compressed schedules coming out of the pandemic, some guys will not be available this time around. For example, European-based players like Kim Nousiainen and Samuel Helenius will already be back with their club teams overseas, as pre-season there is set to begin later this week.
On the positive front, it appears the college prospects will attend, including Andre Lee (don’t sleep on this kid), Ben Meehan, and Brock Faber.
UPDATE: Info on Faber’s recent injury posted here.
Additionally, we’re expecting recent first round draft pick Brandt Clarke and second round selection Francesco Pinelli to attend.
LA’s Development staff has to be thrilled at the overall news, as this camp hasn’t taken place since July 2019. For many of the organization’s 2020 and 2021 NHL Draft class, this will be their first time in Southern California.
We’ll have a full roster preview up soon. However, we’re currently expecting names like Turcotte, Byfield, Kaliyev, Fagemo, Madden, Dudas, Moverare, Durzi, etc. to attend.
The event should also see the return of Jordan Spence (who hasn’t been to LA in almost two years) and the debut of Helge Grans (who is expected to play for AHL Ontario this coming season).
In goal, look for Jacob Ingham and Lukas Parik to lead the list of goalies at Dev Camp.
MayorsManor has learned Dev Camp will be open for fans to attend. Details here.
Besides all of their prospects coming to town, we believe LA management has also invited the following seven players to attend camp…
2021 DEVELOPMENT CAMP INVITEES
Lorenzo Canonica
Position: Center / Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Age: 17
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 179
Team: Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
2020-21 Season: 24 GP, 6 G, 10 A, 16 Pts
Playoffs: 5 GP, 1 G, 3 A, 4 Pts
WJC: 4 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pt
Additional Info: Played for Team Switzerland in the U-20 WJC. Was one of the youngest players in the 2021 NHL Draft – he doesn’t turn 18 until September 3.
Scouting Report from EliteProspects:
Lorenzo Canonica flashes a specific set of skills: passing plays, off-puck timing, and handling abilities. He can dangle defenders and goalies, at times, and he also scans the ice frequently. He seems conscious of his positioning, offensively and defensively.
Isaac Enright
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 190 lbs
Team: Niagara IceDogs (OHL)
2020-21 Season: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts
Additional Info: Was a teammate of Akil Thomas before Thomas was traded to Peterborough. However, he was not one of the other blueliners during the time Thomas filled in on defense (game on November 3, 2019).
Scouting Report from FutureConsiderations:
Enright has the tools necessary to develop into a solid defender in the future. He routinely makes his impact felt throughout games. He possesses a smooth skating ability and quick decision-making. He is an effortless skater who is able to accelerate quickly and close the gap on opposing players.
Brett Hyland
Position: Forward
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 170 lbs
Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
2020-21 Season: 23 GP, 4 G, 6 A, 10 Pts
Additional Info: Captained CAC Canadians U18 AAA team to start the season, before the WHL resumed.
Scouting Report from The Draft Analyst:
A hard-working winger with quickness who served his coach well as a depth forward, Hyland showed enough in spurts to consider him a strong candidate to serve Brandon in a top-six role next season. He was the 24th pick in the 2018 WHL draft but had to settle for bottom-six assignments with occasional power play time, as the Wheat Kings already had established scorers. It was within his role as an energy winger where Hyland contributed off the puck by battling hard from whistle to whistle, playing physical, and crowding the net area. His 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) in 23 games was enough to crack the top 10 in team scoring.
Landon Kosior
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Age: 18
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 190 lbs
Team: Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
2020-21 Season: 21 GP, 4 G, 0 A, 4 Pts
Additional Info: Also played in SJHL during COVID season, where he scored 6 points (1 G, 5 A) in 6 games.
Scouting Report from HockeyProspect:
Landon Kosior is a mobile two-way defenseman that possesses above-average skating and 4-way mobility. While he is not a puck-rushing defenseman, his skating allows him to jump into corner battles and make quick cuts to buy himself and his linemates the extra second he needs to make a short pass out of the zone and get the puck out of danger. At his best, he’s a responsible two-way defender with enough speed to apply pressure and disrupt plays in the defensive zone.
Cade McNelly
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Age: 19
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 194 lbs
Team: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
2020-21 Season: 20 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 Pts
Additional Info: Was teammates with Kings prospect Austin Strand during 2017-18 season.
Logan Morrison
Position: Center
Shoots: Left
Age: 19
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 179 lbs
Team: Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
2020-21 Season: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts
Additional Info: Did not play at all last year due to OHL pandemic closure. Was a teammate of Kings prospect Arthur Kaliyev for two seasons (2018-20).
Dylan Robinson
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Age: 19 (May 3, 2002)
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 190 lbs
Team: Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
2020-21 Season: 0 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 Pts
Additional Info: Did not play at all last season due to OHL pandemic closure.
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PHOTO: AVDO BILKANOVIC / BILDBYRÅN
Any word Dev camp being open to the public if pre-cautions are taken such as masks, proof of vaccinations etc…
Limit on numbers of people allowed, social distancing in the stands?
TSPC is open at the moment. Waiting to get official word on what the plan is for Dev Camp.