Tuesday featured Day 2 of the Kings 2021 Dev Camp and it included another top prospect running into an issue that prevented him from skating, an upcoming schedule change, and plenty of quotes from out on the blueline.
Below are some thoughts shared by 2021 first round selection Brandt Clarke, as well as 2019 QMJHL Rookie of the Year (and 2020 Defenseman of the Year) Jordan Spence.
Clarke on any early impressions from attending his first Dev Camp
It’s been great. I’ve been thinking of this for a long time. Ever since the night I was drafted, I’ve been looking forward to coming out here and it’s everything I could have dreamed of. It’s an amazing facility and a great organization. Everybody has been so nice to me; so welcoming. I’ve had a great experience here so far. And I’m looking forward to being here for a really long time. I’m really fortunate to be an LA King. … I feel good. I feel like I’m reading plays pretty well; whether it be defensively, I feel like I’m shutting guys down 2-on-1 and 1-on-1. I feel like my shots are coming off well. I’m hitting a lot of passes and I feel quick out there. So, yes, I’m pretty satisfied with how I’ve been so far. And I don’t want to take the foot off the pedal.
Clarke on his overall expectations for this week
I just want to play my game. I just want to be a good teammate, listen to the coaches, be an all-around good person, and make a good impression for myself. When it comes to the scrimmage we have at the end of the week, I want to perform. I want to do my thing. I want to impress. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m looking forward to having a fun week; it’s been really good so far. They’ve also planned some stuff for us; we’re going to the beach one day too. I’m looking forward to it, it’s awesome.
Clarke on what he’s been told about the plans for him this upcoming season
Really, not much. I think those are conversations to be had in the future. I don’t really know what the expectations are right now. I don’t know. That probably comes down to me showing how I am this week; how I handle myself in person, how I can play with these older guys. That’s probably what they’re kind of examining right now. That’s what the people in charge are kind of taking notes of right now. There aren’t really any expectations that have been laid out for me so far; no set plan. But it’s probably coming pretty soon.
Clarke on the eventful summer he’s had this year
Getting signed was a dream come true. That was really special for me and my family. World Junior camp in Calgary for Team Canada, that was lots of fun too. I think I did pretty well for myself there and it’s always cool to be surrounded with the top players from your country, and being recognized as one of the top players of your country. The anticipation for coming out here has been definitely building up. I’m really fortunate to be out here and it’s been great. I’m also coming back here in two weeks for the Rookie Tournament and main camp. That’s gonna be lots of fun. It’s been really eventful and a lot of people have congratulated me and stuff like that, but I want to stay focused. I want to be in the best shape of my life. I want to show that I can stay here. I can be an impact player as soon as they want me to.
Clarke on areas of his game still needing improvement
I want to get stronger. I feel like I have good size to my body, but if I want to play in the best league in the world, you can’t be a small kid out there. You have to be a big presence, especially on the blue line. So I want to fill out, be a guy who is a presence in front of the net, pushing guys away, clearing screens out the front of our net and knocking guys down in the corner. That’s kind of what I want to do. That’s what I’ve putting a lot of emphasis on this summer. I feel like just being stronger will help me in many areas of the game.
Clarke on Dev Camp thus far – I feel quick, feel my passes are crisp, and I'm showing well.
I've been hanging out w/ @CePinelli71, as we knew each other from Team Canada. The other guy I've had an instant connection with this week is @jordanjs224 – we've been hanging out a lot.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 24, 2021
Spence on turning pro this upcoming season and joining the Ontario Reign
It’s nervous and exciting at the same time. For me, playing in the AHL this year, I just don’t want to change my game. Obviously, I have to adapt to the game. But I want to play my game and if there’s a thing or two that the coach tells me to do, I’ll change it and adapt to it as the season goes on.
Spence on apparently buddying up with Clarke this week
He’s a great player and a great guy off the ice, so it’s pretty easy for me to have conversation with him. He has been asking quite a few questions just off-ice stuff and what he should do. If he doesn’t know the drill, or if he’s confused, I’ll just tell him what to do. But, he’s a smart guy, as well. So he doesn’t really have to worry about that. It’s good for him to be here and he’s also a great guy to the coach and to the players. So, it’s been good.
Spence on what’s changed since he was here last time
Spence on 2019 to now — I was a smaller guy, 5-ft-9 maybe 160 lbs. I've put on 10-15 lbs since then; tried to work on my lower body. They want me to improve my defensive game. To be an impact player on any team, I need to be strong defensively, then add in my offensive game.
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 24, 2021
CAMP NOTEBOOK
— Alex Turcotte: He “did not participate this morning out of an abundance of caution.” MayorsManor was also specifically told it’s not covid-related. It’s considered a day-to-day situation.
— Quinton Byfield: As we’ve previously reported, Byfield remains out with a foot issue. On Monday, he left the ice after only participating in on-ice activity for about six minutes. Apparently, he’s been nursing a foot injury of late; something that’s been bothering him for about a week. He tried to give it a go and things just didn’t feel right. From what we’ve been able to gather, there’s no real rush to get him back out there. He’s in the day-to-day category.
— Wednesday’s morning schedule has been updated:
Wednesday, August 25
9:30 a.m. – Defense Group
10:15 a.m. – Forward Group
3:00 p.m. – Full Group
— We will also have a live show on Wednesday at noon, where we’ll be joined by Ontario Reign coach John Wroblewski. Be sure to tune in.
Join us Wednesday at noon.
MayorsManor Live returns! @KingsMenPodcast and I will find something to argue about.
And Wrobo will tell us about his summer… along with some thoughts on LA Kings prospects at Dev Camp.
LISTEN LIVE https://t.co/n12P8mvYcJ
— John Hoven | The Mayor (@mayorNHL) August 24, 2021
If you missed Clarke on Kings Of The Podcast and/or what Mark Yannetti had to say about the lead up to drafting him, be sure to catch up on those interviews using the links below.
RELATED CONTENT:
Kings Of The Podcast: Ep. 102 with Brandt Clarke and UFA Preview
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Quotes and news are all fine and good but I’m here for the scouting report. Who’s looking good? Who’s gotten bigger? Who’s moving faster than all the rest?
Apologies if you have already said so, but has it been confirmed that QB and similar under-age players from Canada jrs will again be able to play in AHL after playing there last year?
Byfield is the only Kings prospect the exemption applies to.
And, yes, he’s likely targeted for AHL Ontario. See here https://mayorsmanor.com/2021/07/early-look-ontario-reign-opening-night-lineup-2021-22/