But while the current Bruins revel in their recent victory, the club is also laying the foundation for what it hopes will be many more championships in the future by bringing in some of the organization’s top prospects for the fifth annual development camp.
Past editions of the camp have introduced Bruins fans to the likes of Milan Lucic, David Krejci, Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin, and this year’s camp roster is likely to produce at least a few key contributors to the big club in the coming years as well.
The camp opens on Thursday with fitness testing in the morning and an on-ice session in the afternoon at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington. It runs through Monday, with the on-ice workouts — including scheduled scrimmages on Sunday and Monday — open to the public.
So what should fans look for if they make the trek up to Wilmington to watch the youngsters, other than a good way to escape the heat for a few hours in a frosty rink? Here are some things to focus on.
First glimpse of Hamilton
The camp will be the first chance for most Bruins fans to see this year’s top pick in action. Boston selected Dougie Hamilton No. 9 overall at last month’s draft, using the final pick acquired from Toronto in the Phil Kessel trade to take the highly-regarded blueliner.
Hamilton was the second defenseman taken in the draft and few expected him to still be on the board when the Bruins went to the podium. He’s got all the tools to be a special player, as he possesses size (6-foot-4, 193 pounds), skill (12-46-58 totals, plus-35 in 67 games with Niagara in the OHL) and smarts (OHL’s top academic high school student). But Hamilton is also very raw and will likely need at least another year of junior to develop. That means this week’s camp and September’s training camp may be the only chances to see him in Boston for a while, so take advantage and check out how he performs against some of the club’s other top prospects.
Rest of the Class of 2011 also on hand
In addition to Hamilton, the other five players the Bruins added to the system at last month’s draft are also scheduled to participate in the development camp. That means a first look at talented Russian forward Alexander Khokhlachev, tough guy Anthony Camara, Jacksonville, Fla. product Brian Ferlin, Milton Academy defenseman Rob O’Gara and Norwegian goalie Lars Volden.
Progress report on Spooner, Knight
Two of last year’s biggest revelations are back for a second go-around at development camp. 2010 second-round picks Jared Knight and Ryan Spooner took full advantage of the opportunities to showcase their skills at last year’s camp and carried that performance into strong showings at the main training camp in September.
Each is also coming off impressive junior campaigns and could make runs at roster spots on the big club this fall. This week’s camp will give an early indication of how far they’ve progressed from last year. With Knight and Spooner now “veterans” in the camp, it will also be important to note how they handle a leadership role in working with the newcomers participating for the first time.
Blue chips on the blue line?
The Bruins have stockpiled plenty of talent up front in recent years, but the cupboard hasn’t been quite as full on the back end. Hamilton’s arrival will help change that, but the club will also be paying special attention to how some of their other recent draftees on defense are coming along. Of biggest interest will be Boston College’s Tommy Cross, who is finally healthy after battling knee injuries since being drafted back in 2007, Boston University’s David Warsofsky, who is back for his second camp after getting a taste of pro hockey when he joined Providence after his college campaign at the end of last season, and Ryan Button, back for a third development camp after he too finished last season in Providence following his junior season.
Like any good camper, be prepared
There’s nothing better than getting a hockey fix in the middle of summer. But bear in mind that while it may be a sweltering 90-plus outside, even in July it can get quite chilly inside Ristuccia. So make sure to bring along a jacket or sweater. Also, you may want to arrive early to make sure you get a parking spot outside and a seat in the bleachers inside. Last year’s camp drew record crowds in Wilmington, with the rink filled to capacity as fans flocked to Ristuccia for their first look at Seguin.
Hamilton and Co. may not have quite the star power that Seguin did, but coming off winning the Cup less than a month ago, interest in the Bruins has grown exponentially. There should be a heavy turnout for this year’s camp as well, making for an electric atmosphere as the new prospects get an introduction to the passionate following the Bruins have built in Boston once again.
Development Camp Roster:
Forwards: Anthony Camara, Craig Cunningham, Alexander Fallstrom, Brian Ferlin, Justin Florek, Josh Jooris, Jared Knight, Alexander Khokhlachev, Brett Olson, Tyler Randell, Eric Robinson, Ben Sexton, Ryan Spooner
Defensemen: Ryan Button, Marc Cantin, Tommy Cross, Dougie Hamilton, Robby O’Gara, Steven Spinell, Zach Trotman, David Warsofsky
Goaltenders: Zane Gothberg, Mike Hutchinson, Lars Volden
Development Camp Schedule:
(On-ice practices are open to the public unless otherwise noted.)
Thursday, July 7 (Wilmington, MA)
-Fitness testing at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, 9:30 a.m. ET (closed to public)
-On-ice practice, Ristuccia Arena, 1:15 p.m. ET
Friday, July 8 (Wilmington, MA)
-On-ice workout, Ristuccia Arena, 10:00 a.m. ET
-On-ice practice, Ristuccia Arena, 11:30 a.m. ET
Saturday, July 9 (Wilmington, MA)
-On-ice practice, Ristuccia Arena, 10:30 a.m. ET
-On-ice workout, Ristuccia Arena, 11:45 a.m. ET
Sunday, July 10 (Wilmington, MA)
-On-ice practice, Ristuccia Arena, 10:00 a.m. ET
-On-ice scrimmage, Ristuccia Arena, 11:15 a.m. ET
Monday, July 11 (Wilmington, MA)
-On-ice workout, Ristuccia Arena, 10:00 a.m. ET
-On-ice scrimmage, Ristuccia Arena, 11:00 a.m. ET
