Red Wings prospects learn valuable lessons and form lasting friendships during 2024 Development Camp

DETROIT -- After five days of on-ice and off-ice testing, video sessions, nutrition education and team-bonding activities, the Detroit Red Wings prospects concluded 2024 Development Camp last Friday with a spirited three-on-three tournament at Little Caesars Arena’s BELFOR Training Center.

Red Wings Assistant Director of Player Development Dan Cleary said he was very pleased with how this year’s Development Camp played out.

“I thought the kids were very respectful, worked hard and were attentive,” Cleary said. “They were awesome. Probably one of the best development camps I’ve been part of.”

Detroit’s 2024 Development Camp featured 29 players from July 1-5, including all eight prospects the organization selected at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft on June 28 and 29 in Las Vegas. According to Cleary, getting an extensive look at the Red Wings’ rising talent is valuable from an organizational perspective.

“It’s always beneficial, especially to bring in the new draft picks, being able to get these kids over,” Cleary said. “It’s awesome, for me personally and for everyone involved, just to get to know each other.”

Development Camp is a beneficial experience for Detroit’s newest draft picks and younger prospects, who get to train at a state-of-the-art NHL facility and see what life is like as a professional hockey player.

The players also learn how to take care of themselves off the ice.

“Things have evolved and changed so much, from nutrition to the skills and skating instructors, the performance science part of sports,” Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman said. “The kids have so much more information and education available to them. We’re hoping they soak it in.”

Forward prospect Nate Danielson, who was picked No. 9 overall by the Red Wings in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, was a standout at Development Camp according to Cleary.

“I thought Nate Danielson was great every day,” Cleary said. “Came in, terrific shape. I know we speak a lot about Nate, but he talks the talk and he walks it. He does everything right and he really showed the way in his testing, preparations and professionalism. The way he handles himself, his maturity and the way he talks (to the media). He’s a really great young kid.”

But Cleary made it clear that Development Camp isn’t about judging the Red Wings prospects. It’s about helping build a foundation for their professional careers.

“At the end of the day, you tell them to take it serious,” Cleary said. “Train serious. These kids are young, I get it. Once they leave here, don’t forget about everything we just worked on. The idea would be for them to take one or two things and hopefully, it sticks with them.”

For first-time campers like 20-year-old forward Ondrej Becher, being around fellow Red Wings prospects helped him feel more comfortable.

“It helps me a lot being around guys who are the same age as me,” said Becher, who was Detroit’s 80th overall pick at this year’s NHL Draft. “They are amazing people and players. It’s been great here.”

The support of everyone involved at Red Wings’ Development Camp is vital to its overall success year after year, Cleary said.

“This doesn’t go well without so many people helping me,” Cleary said. “I have so many good people around me that help me. From the trainers, they’re an integral part of this, to the media, chefs, cooks and all the staff. They’re great.”