The Development Camp concluded with a thrilling three-team 4-on-4 tournament at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex after several days of practices and skill sessions. Team 1 emerged as the undefeated victors, delighting the packed house of fans and securing the prestigious Michel Brière championship trophy.

“Woo-hoo! Another huge victory! Back-to-back wins for me,” exclaimed Owen Pickering, the Penguins’ first-round pick for 2022, proudly sporting the captain’s armband. “These past two years have been an absolute blast. It’s been an incredible journey with an exceptional bunch of teammates… every single person in this room earned this triumph. We executed our plan flawlessly, just as we had intended from the start.”

Murashov stands out

At his inaugural camp, Sergei Murashov, the Penguins’ 2022 fourth-round draft pick, made quite an impression according to Tom Kostopoulos, the director of player development. Kostopoulos praised Murashov for his standout performance and left a fantastic impression.

Kostopoulos expressed his delight in getting acquainted with the 20-year-old goalie, stating that observing him participate in drills showcased his unwavering determination towards the puck, a valuable trait for goalies. Additionally, witnessing his performance in the games left a lasting impression. The team is eagerly anticipating his presence and Kostopoulos believed he performed exceptionally well.

Murashov only allowed one goal in three games for Team 1, earning some high praise from his teammate Pickering. “Guy’s disgusting,” Pickering said. “My first time meeting him, seeing him play, anything. Looked at his Elite Prospects from the second half, and he’s got some really, really good stats. He was a rock back there for us. He was really good. Fun to be around.”

Last year, Murashov divided his time between Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL and their club in the MHL, which is Russia’s premier developmental league. In the KHL, he played six games and achieved a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 2 ties, with an impressive 1.84 goals-against average and a save percentage of .925. In the MHL, he played 34 games and had a record of 24 wins, 4 losses, and 2 ties, with a goals-against average of 2.03 and a save percentage of .930.

Currently, Murashov’s plans for the next season are uncertain. Penguins assistant general manager, Jason Spezza, expressed a desire to have the 20-year-old goalkeeper in North America. However, if Murashov chooses to remain in Russia, the team will ensure he receives proper guidance there. In the meantime, Spezza emphasized the importance of Murashov being present in Pittsburgh and working closely with their goalie coaches.

We wanted him to have a sense of how things are here, whether it’s now or in the future. Having him visit creates a sense of familiarity, so it’s wonderful that he could make it. Despite the last-minute nature of the invitation, we made every effort to bring him over.

Murashov found the experience thoroughly enjoyable due to the warm nature of the people he encountered. He expressed gratitude for having learned English in school, as he couldn’t fathom being in this place without the language. Moreover, he conducted a delightful interview that effectively showcased his unique personality. Check out the video below:

Future plans for former first-rounders

In his end-of-season press conference, President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas expressed his belief that Pickering and Brayden Yager (2023), the team’s latest first-round picks, will make strong efforts during the summer and establish themselves in the upcoming fall.

Assistant general manager Jason Spezza likes where Pickering is at entering his first year of professional hockey after four seasons with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos, with the 20-year-old defenseman healthy and excited about his opportunity. Read more here.

As for Yager, Kostopoulos praised how much the 19-year-old forward has grown in his Memorial Cup season. As Kostopoulos acknowledged, Yager has played a lot of hockey over the last few months, so it’ll be beneficial for him to transition into the gym once he returns home.

According to Kostopoulos, the most important aspect for him is to gain some strength. This will be crucial for his success. He possesses the right mindset for it, and his progress will be evident in the upcoming season. It is highly likely that he will be vying for a spot in Pittsburgh. He has the ability to contribute unique elements to the game and is already capable of skating at the NHL level. As he continues to enhance various aspects of his game, he should definitely be considered as a potential candidate, in my view.

Day in the life of a Penguins’ draft pick

All six of Pittsburgh’s picks from the 2024 NHL Draft were in attendance this week. Second-round picks Harrison Brunicke and Tanner Howe watched their names get called in person, and we caught up with the other four selections about how they learned the life-changing news.

Chase Pietila: Fourth-round pick (111th overall)

I was simply out golfing and having a good time with my brother when suddenly my advisor called me and excitedly said, “Pittsburgh, baby.” It was a pleasant surprise. From then on, my phone was constantly buzzing with messages and calls from my loved ones. Though I didn’t get to golf much afterwards, it was definitely an enjoyable experience.

Joona Vaisanen: Sixth-round pick (175th overall)

While I was relaxing at home with my family, the TV happened to be on. Surprisingly, during dinner, I caught sight of my name flashing across the screen. It was an extraordinary moment that filled me with excitement.

Mac Swanson: Seventh-round pick (207th overall)

Upon returning to my humble abode, anxiety consumed me during the entire ordeal. However, when my name was announced and Pittsburgh was revealed, a surge of exhilaration washed over me, for I am well aware of the immense reputation and excellence associated with this esteemed organization.

Finn Harding: Seventh-round pick (223rd overall)

My family and I were gathered at home, eagerly anticipating the possibility of being chosen, particularly by such an esteemed organization like this. We remained glued to the screen throughout the entire event, and when my name flashed across the TV, we all leaped up in excitement. It was an absolutely unforgettable and surreal moment.

Read more about the 2024 draft class.