The 2024-25 hockey season “kicks off” with Development Camp.
Just days after the NHL Draft and the opening of Free Agency, the Colorado Avalanche started its Development Camp, with invitees, young members of the organization, and new draft prospects showing their best stuff. Today was day one of the three-day camp, concluding Friday evening with a scrimmage at the Family Sports Center.
For those coming to Dev Camp – it starts tomorrow! Here are the groups and times again: pic.twitter.com/qPJuoPFN7m
— Meghan Angley (@megangley) July 3, 2024
Some standouts in the first group out on ice today included Taylor Makar and Marek Hejduk, son of Avalanche legend Milan Hejduk. Makar looks to have bulked up in size in preparation for his transfer to the University of Maine in the fall. Meanwhile, Hejduk is here on a camp invite at 20 years old and attends Harvard University.
In the second group, the most obvious standout was Cal Ritchie, who looked a step above the rest. Newly signed Chase Bradley, who signed as a free agent out of college from UCONN, was also an interesting watch. The mini-group sessions wrapped up with Denver Pioneers legend Matt Davis coming out in the net as an invite, and he looked locked in, with help from now-coach Pavel Francouz.
Matt Davis looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat since winning the National Championship with DU in April #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/qFwWYlpYcN
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) July 3, 2024
A better look at Coach Frankie #GoAvsGo https://t.co/72Nt0yxroa pic.twitter.com/4BWJ00r8lU
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) July 3, 2024
Colorado Eagles head coach Aaron Schneekloth ran the full group session to end the day. He matched Ritchie and Hejduk together, and the first of those two dominated their 1-on-1 battles, tiring out everybody on the ice with puck battles and work along the boards.
There were only three members of the 2024 NHL Draft class out on the ice today, with Tory Pitner and Jake Fisher sitting out today’s sessions. They will slot in later in camp. Out of the three draftees, the most impressive one was Nikita Prishchepov, who was drafted in the seventh round. He found some good skating skills at camp and had a good connection with Ritchie in the main group. Can we get Ritchie to sign his ELC while he’s here, perhaps?
Cal Ritchie is here. Maybe he’ll sign that ELC while here at Development Camp? #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/n3VblsCyEH
— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) July 3, 2024
The prospects avoided the skating test today, so expect them to be worked even harder tomorrow for day two by the coaching staff. We’ll have you covered tomorrow and Friday live from Family Sports Center!