Camping Out

Today the Devils kicked off the annual rookie developmental camp at their practice facility, AmeriHealth Pavilion, in Newark. Just as drills were getting underway, the complete roster was finally released. And there are some familiar names, some not so familiar ones, and a few people missing. The list:

Goaltenders:

Anthony Brodeur
Scott Wedgewood
Brandon Hope
Jake Hildebrand

Defensemen:

Seth Helgeson
Jon Merrill
Eric Gelinas
Brandon Burlon
Steve Santini
Curtis Gedig
Reece Scarlett
Matt Killian
Damon Severson
Zach Tolkinen
Oleg Yevenko

Forwards:

Derek Rodwell
Riley Boychuk
Artur Gavrus
Myles Bell
David Wohlberg
Alexander Kerfoot
Graham Black
Blake Pietila
Stefan Matteau
Ryan Kujawinski
Miles Wood
Ben Thomson
Frank DiChiara
Reid Boucher
Cody Wydo
Ben Johnson
Blake Coleman
Ryan Misiak
Michael Ambrosia
Conor Sheary
Kyle Gibbons
Dmitry Antipin
Nick Saracino

Breaking down the roster:

-8 players saw at least one game in Albany during the 2012-13 season.

-All 12 draft picks from 2012 and 2013 are in attendance.

-13 players were non-Devil invitees: 11 from the college ranks, 1 via the OHL, and 1 via the USHL.

-There are quite a few familiar names from Albany not on that list that one would normally see in these camps. Apparently some of the veteran prospects of the group were not required to come, per a provision in the CBA. Others are still unsigned restricted free agents (or even unrestricted).

In Lou We Trust has more roster analysis here.

For coverage of this week’s events:

Fire and Ice has quite a few stories from today’s sessions, with Anthony Brodeur and Gelinas and Merrill.

5 For Writing has an extensive photo gallery.

And a couple of interview videos, first with Jon Merrill:

And Reid Boucher:

With everything closed to the public (boo…not that I can go anyway, my annual week’s vacation doesn’t officially begin till after camp ends), this is as close as you’re going to get. There is a scrimmage planned for tomorrow, if any other news items pop up during the course of the week I may have an additional update.