It’s been a busy few weeks for the game’s newest stars. From hearing their names called at the NHL Draft to quickly packing up and heading to NHL Development Camps, the whirlwind of excitement certainly wasn’t lost on the players.

Development Camps give teams an opportunity to introduce players to their new cities, facilities, staff members and other important details about the organization. They feature a combination of on-ice drills and off-ice seminars to get players acclimated to their new environments.

Greg Revak created a summary on X about what he observed at the camps across the league. From skating and skill development to Small Area Games, there were common threads throughout many of the camps. Let’s take a look at what went on across the league.

Small Area Games

Small Area Games were a popular theme during Development Camps with many variations on display. Small Area Games emphasize passing, puck control and provide game like scenarios in tight spaces. It was rare to see a full-ice, 5v5 session as drills focused on skills in small spaces that limited time and space.

Skating

Through edgework, explosive speed and mechanics, many drill variations were on display. Skaters will encounter a variety of scenarios while on the ice and they need to be prepared to stay upright while off-balance or without both feet firmly planted.

Defensive-Focused Drills

While offence is typically viewed as the fun, exciting part of the game, defence is just as important for teams to work on. These drills focus on body positioning, separating offensive players from the puck and transitioning from defence to offence.

Off-Ice

Just like in minor hockey, it’s important to find balance between on-ice activities and off-ice team building. These activities allow for the group to build together and learn more about each other away from the ice and give them a break from thinking about hockey 24/7.