Prospects camp details

The camp will be from July 28-Aug. 1 in Victoria, British Columbia. The team will stay and train at the Bear Mountain Resort developed by owner Len Barrie. The participants will be divided into two teams with practices and off-ice workouts being held every day. Scrimmages will be on July 29 and July 31.

Thirty players will attend, all between the ages of 18 and 25. The Lightning hold the rights to the 19 players, listed below:

Mark Barberio, D, 18, 6-0/201, 152 overall in 2008

David Carle, D, 18, 5-11/187, 203 overall in 2008

Justin Courtnall, LW, 19, 6-3/185, 210 overall in 2007

Luca Cunti, C, 19, 6-0/190, 75 overall in 2007

Kyle De Costa, RW, 18, 6-1/178, 147 overall in 2008

Mitch Fadden, C, 20, 5-11/175, 107 in 2007

Riku Helenius, G, 20, 6-3/202, 15 overall in 2006

Torrie Jung, G, 19, 6-1/182, 183 overall in 2007

Scott Jackson, D, 21, 6-4/213, 37 overall in 2005

Alex Killorn, C, 18, 6-0/185, 77 overall in 2007

Chris Lawrence, RW, 21, 6-4/199, 89 overall in 2005

Matt Marshall, F, 19, 6-1/185, 150 overall in 2007

Kevin Quick, D, 20, 6-0/175, 78 overall in 2006

Andy Rogers, D, 21, 6-5/206, 30 overall in 2004

Steve Stamkos, C, 18, 6-0/176, 1st overall in 2008

Paul Szcezechura, C, 22, 5-11/190, undrafted

Michael Ward, D, 18, 6-3/196, 197 in 2007

Ty Wishart, D, 20, 6-5/203, 16 overall in 2006

James Wright, C, 18, 6-3/180, 117 overall in 2008

NOTE: Dana Tyrell has a prior commitment to the Canadian National Development camp.

Comments

[BEEKER]

LEAVOLD IS OUT OF HIS LEAGUE....THE TIMES SAID IT PERFECTLY ABOUT HOW BARRIE IS JUST DOING IS KIDS BEST FRIEND A FAVOR...

TAKE A SEAT WASHOUT....PAY YOUR CHILD SUPPORT

[Don in St. Pete]

Here is the recap of the day and the scrimmage from the insider on the Bolts website.

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=379167

[Don in St. Pete]

Valerie, Thanks for being our eyes up in B.C. Glad to here your take, and it sounds great that Courtnall seems to be developing and that Wishart got a goal.

[Valerie]

I forgot to mention the goal scorers... they were Vlassopoulos and Wishart for Team White in the 2nd period, and then Killorn for Team Black in the 3rd, before Pighin's (Team White) EN.

[Valerie]

The atmosphere at the arena tonight was great!! It was quite packed, there were people standing around the end boards.. I even ran into one other guy in a Tampa jersey!

So the scrimmage featured Team Black vs. Team White... Len Barrie was behind the bench of Team Black, and OK was behind the bench of Team White. I thought it was neat to see both men taking part, while The Mullet watched from the press box (Brian Lawton was up there, too). And, for the record, that mullet is exquisite.

Team Black was Boyle, Fadden, Helenius, Jackson, Jung, Killorn, Leavold, Lee, Marshall, Procyshen, Quick, Rogers, Stamkos, Ward, and Wright.

Team White was Aquino, Barberio, Barrie, Courtnall, DeCoste, Grieco, Kaufman, Lawrence, Marsh, Pighin, Szcezechura, Todd, Vlassopoulos, and Wishart.

Stamkos was trying out some moves during warm up, but didn't really stand out on the ice tonight- in all fairness, he didn't really have a chance to. He did make a gorgeous move at the blue line (had the crowd on their feet, oohing and ahhing!) to get around one of the defenders and get in close for a shot on Grieco, but he couldn't get the shot away in time. Up front, Justin Courtnal played quite well, I think he had two assists.. he was after every loose puck- he was in front of his home crowd, so I'm sure that helped. Tyson Barrie (Len's son) also played well, considering he just turned 17.

On D, both Andy Rogers and Ty Wishart played well. Both tall guys, but with both of them weing just over 200 pounds (206 and 203 lbs, respectively), they could use to put on a few if they want to make a jump into the NHL. Rogers had a few nice hits, and Wishart was great with the 1-on-1 D.

No score through the first period, but in the 2nd, Team White went up 2-0. Team Black came back with 1 in the 3rd, but Evan Pighin scored after Torrie Jung (who replacd Heleinus in the 3rd) was pulled to make it a 3-1 final for Team White.

No points for Stamkos.. Guess we'll have to wait until Thursday to see if he'll record his first point in the Tampa system!!

[Don in St. Pete]

I hope Valerie comes online later to give us her recap of the scrimage this evening at the prospects camp.

[Claire]

Hedican isn't retired, still hoping to sign with San Jose.

[Mike13]

Thanks for the information Valerie!! Will you have more news about Tuesday nights' action?

[Valerie]

Day 1 was pretty tame, anywhere from 15-50 people there (other than the media) at any given time... Melrose was a spectator, he sat in the bleachers with the rest of us, while the assistants lead the camp.

Stamkos is fun to watch.. so quick with the puck. Had a few gorgeous-looking shots as well. He's been hyped up a lot in the local media, but there's still something about him when he's on the ice. Like it said in the TSN article, Helenius looked good as well.

There is an intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday night, so that should be exciting to see as well!

[Boltflasher]

I am not real keen on the Canes defense especially with retirement of Wesley and Hedican along with trading away Cole...however, they have a proven goalie more so than Bolts or Caps...but as I have said, all the teams in SE have suspect D to the point that Panthers may have the best D on paper now that Bouwmeester reupped for another year and a good goalie (but Panthers are not deep at forward, much like Bolts at end of last year)...

[Mike13]

Any details from Day 1? I saw a little bit on TSN, but not much else anywhere.

There was this little article on TBL's website:
http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=369102

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I won't argue that defense and goalie are still question marks at this point, but I still feel a lot better having Smith and Kolzig than Holmer and Denis. Defense is a huge question mark, will they play like they did 06-07' or like they did in 07-08'? I feel better about our defensive depth than last year, if something happens to a starter, but the simple fact is the d will have to step up like they did when Boyle was out, but they'll have to do it over 82 games.

[PD]

Don the Bolt defence is AHL quality, admit it man.The goalie is a good back up not close to a proven #1
A ton of teams would have tank in the east for the Bolts to get in. The odds against that are astronomical, so then we have to win the weakest division in hockey.
Simple right? just the Caps and Canes to beat out..Lol.
We aren't there yet as much as you would like to hope and dream.

Offense is great up to xmas then things change rather dramatically in the NHL. D and goaltending win.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I didn't say that before last season. I knew we were in serious trouble. I did expect our defense to play better than they did, but with so many AHL players on the roster, I knew we were in for a long season. A much improved offense will make the defense better in and of itself. Plus we have much more talented forwards defensively.

[léo]

That's what you all said last year.
"Yeah, I know we got no D, but we can still get into the playoffs because stranger things have happened."
Doesn't make more sense now than it did then, although, you didn't have a goalie either, so maybe.
Ok.
Let's hope for those "strange things".
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, Even if we don't make any additional changes to the defense, I believe we stil have enough to get us into the playoffs. While we aren't Stanley Cup caliber ( yet ) who knows what might transpire between now and the trade deadline. Stranger things have happened.

[léo]

Yeah but where's the D, Marlboro?
GP, you're killin' me with comments like that. When does that ticket expire?
P.

[Not the Marlboro Man]

Recchi and Roberts are no more than special teams guys and won't get more than 12 minutes a game unless there are more than 6 penalties. Those guys are just high priced cheer leaders and teachers, they are paid to mold the young guys into "quality character players." When the play-offs come around, both will probably play more because of their experience. Look at the depth on the Bolts and tell me that anyone in their right mind would play either one of those guys on lines one or two unless there was some serious injury problems going on. At least they won't be starting the Tampa Admirals again this season. Last season was a complete joke. I said it long before he left, but I said.... that all the AHL personnel playing for Bolts last season would spell the end for Jay Feaster's tenure with the Bolts and it did...along with all the other stupid moves he pulled off. In a card analogy, he tried playing against a Royal Flush with a pair and King and couldn't bluff very well.
This season is going to be different, the other teams have taken a large look at what the Bolts have done. There is lot of new faces and there is going to be a new, more creative style of playing here. Tortorella is gone and there is no fear any longer among the players....the wicked witch is dead now, so think of the possibilities. No more weirdo line substitutions...no more belittling players in the press...no more pinching stupid defenseman(hopefully) and no more AHL players on the second and third lines. There is finally going to be enough players for 4 viable NHL lines. So what if two of them are nine days older than dirt.

[Kyle]

Ah, found it on CTV.

"Also scheduled to attend but not skate is 2008 7th-round draft choice David Carle, the younger brother of Lightning defenseman Matt Carle.
"

[Kyle]

David Carle? I don't understand, unless that 1% chance of him being healthy came through.

Regardless of what "Geografer" said, that paragraph does insinuate he's playing in this camp, especially since other draft picks are going to the Canadian National camp.

That'd be a steal if Carle is healthy enough to play competitively.

[Don in St. Pete]

GP, The Flyers do have a great pipeline, with kids coming up in all areas that will keep them strong into the future. Giroux and Parent are likely ready to play in the NHL this year. With a little luck we'll be starting to rebuild our pipeline this year as well, something that's sorely needed if you expect to compete at a high level year in and year out.

[GP]

Don,

Some articles on the Flyers players I mentioned earlier in case you want to read.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080724_Playoff_pressure_puts_Parent_on_Flyers__radar.html

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080723/SPORTS04/807230350/1017

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20080722_Giroux_s_prospects_growing_with_Flyers.html

It seems like you follow hockey and not just Tampa so I thought you may enjoy. I think Leo would also enjoy reading about the new generation of Flyers who will take out the Habs.

Agree completely that the Flyers did not get better. In fact, I think they may start out a little worse with the young guys. However, those guys should come into their own during the season and push the Flyers to a playoff spot ... especially when Van Riemsdyk joins the team after his college season. I think the East will again be jumbled from #1-8 with 1 or 2 teams just making it in. I don't think the Bolts make it this year though unless they win the division. Let's hope they stay healthy enough to make a push.

[Boltflasher]

I too feared seeing Darche, McDonald, Karlsson, and Lessard on a regular basis. They are all gone. I would have reconsidered on my 20 game package if I had to watch them night in night out...

[PD]

Agreed on the 4 AHL forwards Ajax except we have replaced two of them with Recchi and Roberts.

[ajax]

Another sign of how bad we were last year and how much we have hopefully improved. Darche, I read signed with Buffalo and the two articles I read, said the Sabres expect to start him in the AHL. He was playing 18-20 minutes a night at the end of last year. (He was the best of the bums is how I described him) Getting rid of Darche, Karlsson, McDonald and Roy was a benchmark to me on how many real NHL players we needed. Hopefully the new guys are a step above the career minor leaguers we had here the last couple years. Always insisted we had at least 4 forwards that had no business in this league, all of them are now gone. Hooray. Had two goalies that stunk and both are gone. Hooray. Now, the D. Lundin is the first casuality of the new regime, another benchmark of progress. He is a number 7 at very very best. Trading Kuba would be more than one should ever ask for. I would feel guilty dumping him on some other poor NHL city (not really)

[PD]

Mac who Leo?

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, just calm down now, you're getting your panties all up in a bunche for nothing. What I had said was, that if we hadn't needed a 2nd line center that we could have parlayed the #1 pick into 5x #1 picks. The frenzy was that high. Say what you want leo, but 5 years from now people will be talking about Luke Schenn with reverance and not Lidstrom and Pronger.

[léo]

Madness, madness...
Schenn over Stamkos now; I can't believe what I'm hearing!
You shoulda been swallowed up by ole' Moby and sunk into the deepest sea-fault within which his carcass could've withstood the pressure, Don, cuz you have officially lost it.
Unbelievable.
The floridian sun has scorched yehs!
Nevermind McDonaugh, who's in a league by his own. For you to dismiss him so quickly PROVES to me, you've NEVER seen him. Ever. Not once. I've seen Schenn. Let's not even COMPARE to McDonaugh.
No, let's talk about Bogosian, instead. Who is everything Schenn is PLUS offensive skill. Bogosian would chew Schenn up and spit him out. That's the truth of things. I know you guys love the leafs and wanna be like the leafs and wish you were the leafs but the leafs are losers. Losers. They HAVE TO justify themselves all the time.
I don't know what hype you guys have been swallowing but y'all need to calm down.
Schenn over Stamkos???
Koo-koo!
P.

[Pd]

Leo's just jealous Don and his Boy hasn't proven a thing other than he has a bad glove and can't yet win the big ones.

You are so bang on about having the Bolts dropping down a spot or two and grabbing two of the top 5 or 6 but in 10 years we will know for sure. Schenn would have been perfect here.

We sure could have added some great youth to the pantry.

Unfortunately marketing trumps all in a smaller market and Stamkos is the sizzle. I get that on their part.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo, I'm sorry, maybe you can intimidate the masses but I've been following this game since Moby Dick was a minnow so, Uh-uh. Mcdonaugh, while he has potential will never have the mean streak that Schenn finds natural. Sorry Leo, that is just something that cqn't be coached. IMO the Lightining should have worked a series of trades to drop down to get Schenn, but we needed a repalcement for Richy, especially with Halpern down to.

[léo]

I hope for you leaf-lovin', Schenn-lovers that he pans out as much as Bogosian or Doughty.
Gee, wonder why they were picked before Schenn...hmm. Mystery!
I would not be surprised AT ALL to see Schenn make it. If Grabovski can make it, so can Schenn.
But if Schenn is "Eraser", than you will know O'Byrne as "Eradicator". And McDonaugh will make you cry and beg for mercy. So y'all need to calm down. Nobody, not us, not McGuire, not Strachan in Strattsford knows NUTHIN' yet. Let's see Schenn show us the money before we start a-claimin' and a-callin' and a-peein' our pants.
My Boy had accomplished 3 times as much as Schenn last year and I was told to go suck an egg but here comes leaf-boy Schenn and y'all are a-fawnin' over him. What gives?
Let him put on his skates! Let him try one of the arena hot-dogs. Let him get a feel for the penalty-box. Same as Stamkos. Let's not start gushin' before we actually WITNESS somethin', no?
"Guys like Schenn only come around once in awhile". Please. It was a Toranna pick. The guys at TSN are Toranna sycophants. If Toranna had picked Ivan Potatov from Spudsky, Russia, TSN woulda said, "Oh, they say this kid is a Legend. We're hearing that he will be better than Orr. Definitely ANOTHER brilliant move by Toronto. Just like every year. For the last 41 years. In which Toronto always does things right. So start buying those Potatov jerseys. Back to you, Mike."
Don't be brain-washed by mediocrity! Have you been looking up to them lately??? My,my,my, that would sure explain things.
Leaf-lovers. The more you look for an upside with them, the more you risk catching their disease. The Losing disease. Stay back, by golly! Get away! Beware! They will TAINT you! Yuck!!
Sssssss
..oh god, gross..
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, I hear you. two years ago McCabe was a stud. I'm not sure what happened, but it hasn't been pretty. Schenn needs a year at the AHL level to adjust to the speed of the Pro game. That being said IMO he was the 2nd best player in the draft behind Stamko. I think the leafs pulled off the best trade of draft day to move up and get him. It's a better trade than the habs swung for Tanguay because we'll be old and gray before Schenn retires. McGuire called him the human eraser and if you've seen the you tube videos you'll understand why. Definitely a Pronger type. Stralman has potential but has not proven out over a whole season. leafers are darn near as defficient as the Bolts on the blueline.

[PD]

Don the Leafs won't move both MCCabe and Kubina..Kubina is the easiest to trade because of MCcabes contract.

[PD]

Leo Schenn is the type of guy that doesnt come along very often and Wilson has a great rep with working with kids.
He may benefit from playing at this level or they may hold him back as Steve hints.
Not much different than Stamkos in that respect.

[Steve R]

If the Leafs were smart they'd give Schenn a year or two of seasoning. Be a shame to stunt the kids development by bringing him along too quickly.

[léo]

We'll see about the kids, in time.
But I notice you have no problem with my "depth" point, and how it doesn't apply to Toranna.
Which was the subject. That if Schenn can make the team now; that obviously doesn't constitute "depth".
Then you switched subjects. And questioned McDonaugh over Schenn.
So which one is it?
Cuz I'm right on both.
Hello!
P.

[Don in St. Pete]

Leo has a point PD. Toronto is trying to dump McCabe and Kubina. Schenn will be the man, but i don't think it's this year. they're no better on D than us if they succeed in dumping Kubina and McCabe.

[PD]

McDonaugh, Valentenko and Emelin?
spare us Leo.

[léo]

Not everything's garbage, PD. Jus' Toranna. And that DOES fill me with glee, why deny it? It's not bashing if it's true, is it?
Depth? It's not "depth" if the kids can play INSTEAD of the present roster. It's "depth" when there's NO ROOM on the present roster for their talents.
In Toranna, Schenn can play RIGHT NOW.
In Mtl, he can't.
McDonaugh, Valentenko and Emelin will be better defenders than Schenn and they won't make Our team this year neither.
That's Depth.
I HOPE Schenn does make the team, PD. It will further PROVE what I'm saying about Toranna's D being garbage.
P.

[PD]

Gee Leo you forgot White, Coliaccovo, Frogren,Schenn and Kubina..its called depth. Pretty good start with Toskala in goal.
Every thing non Montreal is garbage to you especially once they leave.

[HockeyBay.com]

I agree with Steve R.! I hope this isn't a precursor of things to come.. Bolts moving all Pre Season scrimmages to Western Canada? sux! They really need to build a good practice arena next door like the Devils did in Sewark, NJ... PS: I wsh people would stick to the topics on these blogs...

[léo]

Good golly, PD!
Are you a closet leaf fan???
Their D is a joke! They were terible last year, but now WITH Finger, oooooooo, watch out! C'mon. What's going on here? PD's doing this on purpose, I know it.
First it's McCabe a num1. We all know that to be Suicide.
Now it's Kaberle a top2. ? What? What?! What?!!
Are you so HARD UP for good D in TB that you can't recognize what's what anymore?
I know, I know, PD, you're gonna tell me that Kaberle was on Team I-don't-know-what in 1979 which means he's excellent now, or that a coach who DUMPED him said what a Great Player he is and such a good sport.
I don't disagree that Kaberle could be a top2 SOMEWHERE. I don't disagree with that if he came to TB, for example.
That doesn't make him a top2.
That's what he is in Toranna cuz they're garbage. If they weren't, they would've made the playoffs ONCE in the last 3 years. Their D is garbage, PD. YOU are a top2 defender over there. Ron Wilson, Ron Wilson, gimme a break; he's not god on the throne. Coliacovo is their best defender, far as I'm concerned, and that's not saying alot.
But we'll see!
Hey, maybe Toranna is gonna shut everybody down, and everyone'll be saying, "Boy'o'boy, can you believe Toranna's D? They are soooo Strong, all of sudden. Boy'o'boy, no one wants to go up against THAT line-up. McCabe, Kaberle, Finger? Brrrrrrr....!"
But I don't think so.
P.

[Pd]

Flasher Kaberle is a top 2 D man on most teams..any of the others would be top 4 on Bolts
If they make a play for Boumeister, Im guessing Kaberle is part of it.
Strahman and Schenn are projected top 2 guys

You are bang on about the Panthers

[Boltflasher]

If the Leafs get rid of Kubina and McCabe without obtaining Boumeester, then their D is about the same as Bolts...that changes if they get Bouwmeester. But the question in Tor is who will score? especially with Sundin gone?...back to the Panthers, what a mess this team is if unable to sign Bouwmeester...they will have lost Luongo, Jokinen, and Bouwmeester, 3 pretty good guys to have built a franchise around (unless your the Panthers, of course)....look for that team to move, not the Bolts...

[PD]

Don you want to talk over paid try Malone, Roberts, Recchi

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, That's all fine and dandy. What did you expect fletch to say about a guy he's paying $3.5 mil to? He's selling the Leafs to the fans and justifying his overpayment for Finger. I don't call that an objective statement. Tell me again why he was benched for 5 games in the playoffs this year if he is so good?

[PD]

I look at our defence and all I see is AHL

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, You're entitled to your opinion and that's all it is. Wilson was fired because he couldn't take a very talented team past the second round on numerous tries. I'm looking at that list of d and all I see is overpaid.

[PD]

Seems you would be totally wrong Don.
Gee thats never happened before, LOL.

Ron Wilson saw him shut down Thornton all year.

“He's a player who is getting better,” Fletcher said in defence of Finger. “There are a lot of guys in this free-agent market who are maybe past their prime or on the decline. [Finger] had his best year in the league last year and really came on in the second-half of the year.

“He's someone who has matured later. He was Colorado's shutdown guy and played well over 20 minutes a game in the last half of the season. We feel he has tremendous upside and has potential.

“There is room for improvement in his offensive numbers, but we feel he is an all-round player who will be a big addition for us.”

Fletcher phoned his friend, and former Avalanche head coach, Joel Quenneville for a scouting report and Quenneville highly recommended 6-foot-1, 205-pound blueliner who played U.S. college hockey at St. Cloud State University with forward Ryan Malone, now of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Fletcher added that Finger chose the Maple Leafs over a handful of other teams.

[Don in St. Pete]

PD, You're entitled to your opinion and that's all it is. Wilson was fired because he couldn't take a very talented team past the second round on numerous tries. I'm looking at that list of d and all I see is overpaid.