Faceoff Factor

Penguins Prospect Camp

Eric Politowski | WBS "Baby" Penguins

Aug 27, 01:54 AM | Hype this story!

The Penguins will be holding a prospect camp for the upcoming rookies in the Pittsburgh Penguins system and organization. The camp starts on September 9th, and they will compete against other prospects out of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers organizations. It will take place in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Both Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Baby Penguins coaches, Dan Bylsma and Todd Reirden will attend, as well as GM Ray Shero, assistant GM Chuck Fletcher, and all 3 Pittsburgh Penguins coaches (Therrien, Yeo, Savard).

Now, onto which Penguins will be taking part in rookie camp.

First and foremost, D Alex Goligoski. This camp should and will most likely be a breeze for Goligoski. The young defenseman has shown that he can use his offensive abilities at crucial times in pressure situations. Goligoski is the Pens’ #1 prospect.

Second, D Jonathan D’Aversa. He spent most of his past season in Wheeling, but played about 30 games with the Baby Pens last year. Another offensive defenseman, D’Aversa could also have a bright future in the system. Last year, he was named to the ECHL All-Star game, where he took part in the Hardest Shot Competition.

Third, yet another offensive defensemen, Alex Grant. Grant carries a good hard slap shot, and a nice set of wheels.

D Jason Legault. Last year in the QMJHL, he netted 22 goals.

D Ben Lovejoy. Lovejoy is a very solid defensive defenseman that can jump into the play when the time is right. He earned himself a two-way contract this off-season.

D Jake Muzzin is a big 6’2” defenseman that loves to hit, and isn’t afraid to drop his gloves and stick up for himself or his teammates.

Much like Muzzin, D Robert Bortuzzo is a nasty in-your-face defenseman, but as its been reported, Bortuzzo will miss the camp due to shoulder surgery.

Another new name, D Elgin Reid is supposed to be an impressive blue-liner with great offensive ability. Last year in the OHL, he scored 42 points in 54 games.

Next, we can move onto the large list of forwards attending the camp.

Aaron Boogaard, younger brother of Minnesota Wild’s Derek Boogaard, is expected to make or break at camp. From what I’ve heard and seen in person, he has been unimpressive, although many believe he could be the Penguins big enforcer one day.

Luca Caputi. What else can you say about Caputi. He’s the Penguins #1 prospect when it comes to forwards. Many see him being a great punch with Sidney Crosby one day, in a Ryan Malone type-role.

Corey Cowick has gotten an invitation to camp. Cowick is a work horse, who is conditioning constantly, and obtains good size as a future forward. He spent last year in the OHL and has dropped the gloves numerous times.

Jean-Michel Daoust is finally owned by the Penguins organization. Last year, JM was loaned to the Pens by the Cincinatti Cyclones of the ECHL, where he eventually would win the Kelly Cup. Daoust could be the next Martin St. Louis, as he stands at only 5’7”, but I believe he plays with more grit, and his heart can carry a line itself. Expected to play with Wilkes-Barre this year.

Tommy Goebel is another young kid who was given an invitation to camp. He was outstanding in the NCAA, and has a few games of AHL experience under his belt.

Joey Haddad, another name just added, is a left handed sniper out of the QMJHL. Haddad can find the net, as he scored 31 goals, and 31 assists last year in 70 games. He also put up 103 penalty minutes.

Dustin Jeffrey and Nick Johnson are both top notch prospects and have shown they can compete at the AHL level, as they gained experience last year in the Calder Cup Finals.

Cedric Lalonde-McNicoll. What a name. As a center last year in the QMJHL, he dominated opposing defenders and scored 83 points (43 g, 40 a) in 69 games played.

Mark Letestu has also shown that he can play at the AHL level, and is a good 4th line center.

The Penguins first pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Nathan Moon will be there.

Casey Pierro-Zabotel. Another good hyphenated name in the system. CPZ is one unique hockey player. In ’05-‘06 he scored 116 pts in 55 games in the BCHL. Those numbers are impressive in any league. Last year, he moved up to the WHL and scored 48 points in 49 games.

Keven Veilleux is a tall right-handed shooting center, listed at 6’4”. Veilleux owns a nice sniping wrist shot, but is criticized for not jumping in the play at times.

To round out the forwards, RW Tim Wallace. He has shown he can be a great 4th line winger, and has evolved into a great hitter and grinder. Wallace is also a smart player, and enjoys protecting the puck against the boards to start a cycle.

Finally, moving on to the goalies.

John Curry has shown he is a solid #3 goaltender for the Penguins. Curry was signed as an undrafted free agent, and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team this past season. Curry has shown flashes of what could be another Marc-Andre Fleury in the making. As a rookie, he took the Baby Penguins all the way to the Calder Cup Finals last year, where he ended the regular season with a record of 24-12-3, with a GAA of 2.23 and a save percentage of .915%

Dave Brown is also a solid back-up goaltender for the Baby Penguins. Brown spent some time in Wheeling last year, but most of it up in the AHL. Brown had a record of 9-7-1 in Wilkes-Barre, and owned a GAA of 2.34 and a save percentage of .913%. Good 4th goaltender in the organization.

Finally, Patrick Killeen. Before being drafted by the Pens this year, Killeen played in the OHL where he posted a record of 20-9-2 with a GAA of 2.76 and a save percentage of .908%