PART 2 - PLAYERS TO WATCH FROM DEVELOPMENT CAMP 2016
Aug 17, 2016PART 2 DEVELOPMENT CAMP BLOG – 2016
After a way-toooooooo-long hiatus, here’s part numero deuce of the “prospect profiles”, where I’ve highlighted some players in the system that attended the Minnesota Wild’s 2016 Development Camp.
(Stick tap to Brad Bombardir, Minnesota’s Director of Player Development, for the insight and organizational perspective on each of these guys)
If you missed Part 1, you can check it out here: http://goo.gl/EbC5vf
I’ll start with a couple of defensemen to kick things off, since a certain Iowa Wild player (clue: veteran defenseman with a “C” on his jersey last season) was rattled that there were no blue-liners included in Part 1.
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Louis Belpedio – Defenseman (5’11”, 198 lbs. / Skokie, Illinois, age: 20)
A third-round draft pick back in 2014, Louis Belpedio (Bell-pea-dee-oh) is a prospect the Wild are extremely familiar with, since this development camp was his third summer session with the organization’s prospects.
“Fluid, smart, great first pass. That’s kind of his game,” Bombardir said, describing Belpedio’s style. “He doesn’t get himself into trouble too much.”
Bombardir lauded Belpedio’s personality and character, calling him an “outstanding individual”. Those types of off-ice traits are something that every NHL team values. He added that Belpedio should look to pattern his game after Wild D-Man Jared Spurgeon, who is adept at knowing how to capitalize on the opposition’s offensive zone mistakes and then join the rush, allowing the Wild to attack with numbers.
With regards to growing his game, Bombardir said Belpedio needs to improve his defense awareness, as he tends to focus on the puck too much at times.
Belpedio notched 17 points in 34 games last season at Miami University (NCAA). He’s slated to return for his junior season this fall.
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Gustav Bouramman – Defenseman (6’0”, 183 lbs. / Stockholm, Sweden, age: 19)
Even though he won’t turn pro this season, keep an eye on offensively-gifted defenseman Gustav Bouramman. A 2015 draft pick, Bouramman racked up 40 assists in 68 OHL games last season in Sault Ste. Marie. Actually, in his two OHL seasons, Bouramman has posted almost identical numbers with regards to games played, goals, assists and points.
From Bombardir’s perspective, Bouramman makes a good first pass, a crucial element to any defenseman’s game. Like most young blue liners, it’s the defensive part of his game that needs more seasoning.
“Another year of junior [hockey] will definitely benefit him, big-time,” Bombardir said about the Swede.
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Joel Eriksson Ek – Forward (6’2”, 184 lbs. / Karlstad, Sweden, age: 19)
The Minnesota Wild might have the complete package in Joel Eriksson Ek.
However, as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers first sung back in 1981, “Waiting Is The Hardest Part”. (The song is actually called “The Waiting” - listen here, it’s a great tune https://goo.gl/GQSwYs)
After drafting Eriksson Ek in the first round back in 2015, the club watched him return to his native Sweden for the 2015-2016 season. And, it appears, that’s most likely going to be the path for Eriksson Ek again next season.
By no means is this a bad thing. Sometimes, when you draft a prospect you just have to “trust the process” and be patient. According to Bombardir, Eriksson Ek played very well in Farjestad of the Swedish Hockey League (15 points in 41 games), and he logged a ton of minutes, which can only help one’s development when you’re a 19-year-old competing against professionals every night.
Bombardir mentioned the team’s desire to have Eriksson Ek play as a center whenever he does join the organization here in North America.
“We prefer him at center,” Bombardir commented. “We drafted him as a center, and need him to develop into a center.”
In today’s game, where depth at the center ice position is invaluable, that would seem like good foresight by the brass. Eriksson Ek’s got size, and a great shot. Just watching him in practice drills during development camp, you can see his upside. Bombardir said he’s a “highly intelligent player” and he also noted his competitive nature.
However, he’s still really young and so maybe waiting another season his services is simply the best course of action.
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Luke Kunin – Forward (6’0”, 193 lbs. / Chesterfield, Missouri, age: 19)
The 15th overall pick back in June, Luke Kunin can light it up offensively. Last year, at the University of Wisconsin (NCAA), Kunin tallied 19 goals, which tied for the sixth best total by a freshman in school history!
“One of the quickest releases I’ve seen in a long time,” Bombardir noted. “Quick release, and a heavy shot. He’ll just shoot it right through you.”
Bombardir raved about Kunin’s speed, competitiveness and character, and he said he’ll go to the tough areas to score. That’s a big component in today’s game – a willingness to get to the net. You can have all the skills in the world, but if you play a perimeter game, you’ll have trouble scoring consistently in pro hockey, and it sounds like Kunin already grasps that concept.
Even though it was just one development camp, the early reviews on Kunin are extremely positive. He’ll don a Badgers sweater again for at least another season. There’s no question though, he’ll be a big part of organization’s future, especially when it comes to producing points.
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Adam Vay – Goaltender (6’5”, 210 lbs. / Budapest, Hungary, age: 22)
Netminder Adam Vay could be an absolute steal for the Wild organization.
Signed by the organization in mid-May after a solid showing with his native Hungary at the 2016 World Championships in Russia, Vay impressed at development camp. I had a chance to chat with Bob Mason, the Wild’s longtime goaltending coach about one of the Wild’s newest prospects.
“He’s got a pretty good game right now for being that young,” Mason commented, in regards to Vay’s goaltending technique. “And, he’s hungry. He seems to be willing to learn and listen and he’s got good balance for a big guy.”
Mason admitted that Vay is still going through the transition that most European goaltenders go through when they first join the North American ranks. The speed of the game, the style of play, the smaller ice surface, the increased “traffic” around the net…all common obstacles for goaltenders like Vay as they adjust.
Vay spent the 2015-2016 season in the MOL Liga (Hungary & Romania), but prior to that, he played for the El Paso Rhinos in the Western States Hockey League, so he’s at least somewhat familiar with the North American rinks and style of play.
Depending on how things shake out in training camp, the most logical scenario is that Vay will compete against Steve Michalek for the backup job in Iowa. If I was a betting man, I’d say Vay starts the year in the Quad Cities, but would get an opportunity at the AHL level at some point during the season.
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Next up for the organization….the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan, which begins on Friday, September 16th.
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