The New Jersey Devils' 2025 Development Camp is underway, offering a glimpse into the future of the franchise. The camp, which runs from June 30 to July 2, 2025, provides an opportunity for the team's youngest prospects, including recent draft picks, to showcase their skills and learn from the development staff. Meghan Duggan, the Director of Player Development, is overseeing the camp.
This year's camp features a mix of drafted players and invitees. All seven of the Devils' 2025 NHL Entry Draft selections are in attendance: Conrad Fondrk, Mason Moe, Ben Kevan, Gustav Hillstrom, David Rozsival, Sigge Holmgren, and Trenten Bennett. However, Fondrk, a second-round pick, will not be participating on the ice due to a fibula injury. Notably absent are KHL prospects Anton Silayev and Daniil Karpovich, due to visa issues, as well as forwards Arseni Gritsyuk and Lenni Hämeenaho, who are resting after long professional seasons.
The on-ice sessions began on June 30, giving the prospects a chance to work with the development staff and compete against each other. A highlight of the camp is the scrimmage between split squads, "Red vs. White". The format consists of two 22-minute running clock periods, followed by a 5-round shootout. In 2023, the annual scrimmage between Team White and Team Red wrapped up the development camp.
The scrimmage provides a competitive environment for the players to demonstrate their abilities and implement the skills they've been working on throughout the week. For fans, it's an exciting opportunity to see the future Devils in action and get a sense of their potential. In a scrimmage during the 2023 training camp, Simon Nemec showcased his potential, and Dawson Mercer continued to build on his scoring ability.
Beyond the on-ice activities, the Development Camp includes community events. Players will be visiting Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in conjunction with RWJBarnabas Health. These visits allow the young players to connect with the local community and learn about the importance of giving back. Eric Legrand spoke at the development camp in 2023, sharing his inspiring story to encourage the next generation of athletes.
The camp also provides an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the progress of the prospects and identify areas for further development. The development camp helps the players prepare for their upcoming seasons and allows the organization to gauge their readiness for the next level.
Overall, the Devils' Development Camp is a crucial event for the organization, offering a platform for young talent to develop their skills, connect with the community, and showcase their potential.
