The Toronto Maple Leafs developmental camp is fully underway.
The Maple Leafs prospects have begun playing inter-squad games as they prepare for the Traverse City prospects tournament.
The developmental camp is being run by Hailey Wickenheiser this year and she has changed things up a bit in terms of making the camp more competitive.
So far, the camp has seen many drills and a few inter-squad games. One of the players trying to make the most out of this camp is Nick Robertson. He is the only player at this year’s camp with a real shot at making the Toronto Maple Leafs main roster.
The roster spot will not be handed to him. He will have to earn it with his on ice performance.
Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects Hold First Inter-Squad Game
On September 11th, the development camp was broken up into two teams for the first inter-squad game. Team Blue would go on to defeat Team White by a score of 6-4.
Team White might have won with a more lopsided score if it wasn’t for Robertson being on Team Blue. Robertson picked up a hat trick for three of his team’s goals while Mikhail Abramov scored the other on a penalty shot.
Team White picked up goals from Jacob Guevin, Jordan Frasca, Alex Steeves, Lukas Gustafsson, Pavel Gogolev, and Joe Miller.
Team White also featured goaltender Erik Kallgren who is trying to have a good camp and is looking to earn a spot on the Toronto Marlies. Kallgren signed a two year, two-way deal back in May.
IT’S OVER! Team White defeats Team Blue 6-4 in first #Leafs dev camp scrimmage
— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) September 11, 2021
Scoring:
White:
Jacob Guevin
Jordan Frasca
Alex Steeves
Lukas Gustafsson
Pavel Gogolev
Joe Miller
Blue:
Nick Robertson
Nick Robertson
Mikhail Abramov (penalty shot)
Nick Robertson
Kallgren may be in tough in trying to win a Marlies job, but he certainly made a lot of fans yesterday when, after being asked why he signed with the Maple Leafs. He responded by saying “I know it’s probably the best place to play hockey in the world.”
Overall, the developmental camp is a great chance to get to know some of the lesser prospects in the Maple Leafs system. It gives players a chance to shine that they might not otherwise get when up against established veterans and also helps build some excitement for the upcoming season.
One draw back might be for a player with designs on an NHL job not wanting to go through it all for a fourth time, but Nick Robertson appears to be rising to the occasion by starting off with a hattrick. If he wants to play in the NHL this year, that is as good a way as any to get going.