Development Camp Three Stars

With a scrimmage that came down to a shootout, Development Camp '08 just came to an end in front of a standing room only crowd at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Over the past six days, several players stood out. Some for good reasons, others, well, for not-so-good reasons.

I took an informal poll of coaches and media types and put together a 'Three Stars of Week.' Here's what we came up with:

First star: D Karl Alzner. Not much flash, but plenty of substance. As expected, the 2007 first round draft pick was the smoothest (and most NHL ready) player on the ice. If you missed him this week, don't worry, you'll see plenty of Karl in Washington next winter.

Second star: F Jake Hauswirth. If you're asking, "Who?", don't feel bad. Thirty NHL teams took a pass on him in this summer's draft. A camp invitee, the 6-4 native of Wisconsin (and Michigan Tech recruit) wowed coaches with his knack for scoring (he notched a goal in each scrimmage).

Third star: Oskar Osala. A 6 foot 4 power forward with quick feet, the big Finn quickly showed that he's ready to assume a big role in Hershey next season. Who knows? We might even see him as an injury call-up in Washington at some point.

Also receiving votes (in order): F Andrew Gordon, G Simeon Varlamov, F Mathieu Perrault, F Maxime Lacroix, F Phil DeSimone, D Victor Bartley.

If he wants to forego college for AHL.. then im all for it.. if hes ready for that

Tarik seems to agree. Development Camp Three Stars

interesting, and kudos to TEB for running a poll on this, very cool to see who the coaches liked.

Also interesting that Beagle isn't mentioned and Bartley is (i bet i know one person who prolly didn't put him on his list, haha)

He is this year's Jay Beagle. Not sure, but I believe he may have led the development camp in goals during the scrimmages this week. Watched him again today... he had the first tally. He has good hands and pretty good hockey sense. I like his size and his ability to play in traffic. He also made a great pass today that caught his teammate by surprise (I missed who that was.) I liked the way he played away from the puck, and he was fairly strong helping out in front of the net in the defensive zone. He does not have blazing speed, but he seems to be one of those guys who knows where to be. I would love to see this kid invited to camp this Fall and maybe playing for Hershey like Jay Beagle did last year.

HAUSWIRTH, JAKE

Had 5 goals in three scrimmages and a game winner with a shoot out goal. First game was a hat-trick for Hauswirth. He was a stud all week and played well. He is my surprise pick of the week and if he chooses to go to college, he will do VERY well! If he goes to Hershey he will do VERY well! Looks like a cross between Flash and Laing. Plays more like Laing, thank goodness!! Has a knack for the net, is good at both ends and plays physical. Will need to work on skating but this can be worked on. His passion and brain for the game are natural.

Can the Caps sign him and then let him still attend Michigan Tech this year? I'm not too clear on how the NCAA eligibility rules work with hockey these days. I feel that the Caps have the inside scoop on this guy and if he has a standout year in the NCAA another team will get his signature.

Nope. NCAA doesn't allow professional athletes. Once he signs a contract, he'll have to leave collegiate sports.

That's correct. In fact he had to pay his own way to be able to attend camp this year. He wasn't allowed to attend team sponsored meals, or get a discount from the team on a hotel or anything.

I have to respect that he wanted to come to this camp so bad that he paid his own way out of pocket. It shows that he really wanted the opportunity to show the Capitals organization what he was made of. I hope that is a sign he wants to play here one day if he had his choice.

Beagle must have gotten injured because he only played in the Wednesday scrimmage. He did not play Thursday or today and neither did Michael Dubuc who really looked good in Wednesday's scrimmage. He was a camp invitee also but I would like to see more of him. He played in the QMJHL.

Beagle either strained or tore a hipflexor, cant remember which one it was.

I like Hauswirth as well, really like his style of play. He really reminds me of Hartnell from the Flyers.

I agree with Flyerssuck though, I really like Della Rovere, I can definitely see him him in a caps uniform one day.

Can Della-Rovere skate? I've seen him fight and I know he can do that. I know of his reputation as a pest as well. If he can skate, he probably is a legitimate NHL prospect.

is he good enuff for a 4th line spot? sure. Can he develop better foot speed, can he add value as a PKer the way he does in the juniors? remains to be seen. I don't know if he measures upto what the Caps look for with regards to skating, but then many role players around the nhl don't.

Fair enough. I had Louis Robitaille in mind, who excels as a pest, but who seems to lack the minimal footspeed and understanding of the game to contribute at the NHL level. If Della Rovere continues to play his natural game, then my guess would be that his ability to skate and his hockey IQ would be the only things keeping him from being a future NHL'er.

As for Hauswirth, sounds like he earned an opportunity and he should get it. But, given his status as an undrafted from an organization that might be well-known but non-traditional as a hockey proving ground, chances are that his play will be different when he takes the ice against more experienced and talented hockey players.

Returning to the Omaha Lancers this Fall

I know a lot of you that attended development camp (and Tarik) were pretty impressed by his performance there. I had the pleasure of watching Jake play about 5 times last year, including in the Clark Cup Finals, and I have to say it's a big boost for the Lancers to have him returning this coming season. I'll probably attend another 5 or so games this season so I'll be sure to keep everyone updated if people are still interested in his progress. It will be interesting to see if he really breaks out this season in the USHL. It seems like a lot of players really break out during their second season in the league. For example, former Lancer Paul Stastny went from 30 points his first year to leading the league in scoring with 77 his second. I really hope the Caps keep an eye on this kid, he's definitely got the size to play pro hockey, but he'd be a legit top tier prospect if he puts up a big year points wise.

I wonder how accurate that is since he told someone at the development camp that he would be attending Michigan Tech in the fall. So unless he has had a sudden change of heart my guess is that he will be playing for Michigan Tech.

According to this: Jake signed his letter of intent with Michigan State but will continue playing with the Lancers next season. This press release from Michigan Tech lists him as a 2009-2010 recruit, so I suspect that's when he'll start playing in college.