After the busy phase of the NHL draft and the commencement of free agency, many NHL players and staff have sought solace in cottage country.

As the post-draft period unfolds, the addition of prospect development camps intensifies the already bustling schedule, leaving little room for rest as June transitions into July.

Due to this, certain individuals within the game have begun reconsidering the concept of development camps. A few teams have chosen to reschedule these camps for later in July, while others have opted to eliminate the customary on-ice activities altogether.

Up to this point, changes in Columbus have yet to occur, and Rick Nash, the director of player development for CBJ, is content with the present arrangement.

“I personally place a lot of value in it,” he expressed. “In my opinion, it’s fantastic to have our newly drafted players here immediately – firstly, to meet everyone, and secondly, to start familiarizing themselves with Columbus, the city, the arena, navigating around, and experiencing the overall atmosphere. Many of our draft picks have never been to Columbus, Ohio before, and I believe that aspect is crucial.”

To see the significance of this, just consider Cayden Lindstrom. Originating from Chetwynd, British Columbia, he was chosen as the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft, which is more than a 12-hour journey from Vancouver and even farther from Columbus. Despite never having visited Columbus before, Lindstrom quickly familiarized himself with the city during last week’s camp.

Despite rehabbing an injury and participating in just one day of camp, Lindstrom’s presence proved to be valuable. He displayed great enthusiasm by willingly taking pictures and signing autographs for the CBJ fans. Additionally, he had the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Columbus Clippers game and even got the chance to explore the city alongside his teammates.

“At the end of the camp on Friday,” Lindstrom expressed, “I have been treated exceptionally well. They have provided me with all the necessary information about the city and the team. Being here and immersing myself in the culture has been enjoyable. I have genuinely enjoyed my time so far, and I must say that the city of Columbus is starting to appeal to me.”

Lindstrom plans to return later in the summer to further prepare for the season. However, for now, he is taking some time off in British Columbia to relax after a hectic few weeks. He intends to enjoy activities like boating and beach outings, while also maintaining his gym routine. Towards the end of the month, he will increase the intensity of his workouts.

Throughout everything, he will utilize the time to get ready and attempt to secure a spot on the team when camp commences in September. There is no urgency to expedite Lindstrom’s progression to the NHL, considering his impressive performance of 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games last season with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League before his injury cut his season short. However, his competitive nature will drive him to concentrate on showcasing his abilities to the fullest extent.

Lindstrom expressed her determination, stating, “Consider it tryouts; I will be there, giving it my all. Throughout the summer, I will strive to reach that level and ultimately achieve the highest level. Being highly competitive, I am willing to go to great lengths.”

In addition to familiarizing himself with the city, Lindstrom’s initiation into the Blue Jackets organization involved getting acquainted with potential future teammates. Gavin Brindley, the 2023 second-round pick, extended a welcoming gesture to Lindstrom and made an effort to make him feel at ease. Brindley, having had a brief appearance in the NHL at the conclusion of the previous season, was the sole player in the camp with prior NHL experience.

Brindley’s dedication to his role as a natural leader at dev camp was evident in his serious approach.

Brindley expressed, “I spent a lot of time with Lindstrom and assisted him. It was enjoyable to be in the company of the entire group, including the new draft picks, free agents, and the familiar faces I’ve competed against since childhood. It was a wonderful experience to reconnect with everyone.”

Despite being only 19 years old, Brindley stands out among the 28 other prospects at camp due to his impressive hockey achievements. He ranked in the top 10 for goals (25) and points (53) in college hockey last season. Additionally, he made his NHL debut with Columbus towards the end of the season and participated in both the World Juniors and World Championships with Team USA.

As the wing heads back to Florida to continue training for the rest of the offseason, the valuable experience of playing alongside and against professional players in the NHL and World championships has provided him with significant insights into the game.

He expressed, “Having an understanding of where I stand compared to other guys and identifying areas for improvement before the summer is incredibly important, don’t you think? My goal is to focus on the small details that I can work on and make significant progress throughout the upcoming summer.”

As the offseason comes to a close, the Blue Jackets prospects bid farewell to each other and return to their respective homes. The development camp provided an invaluable opportunity for these young players to deepen their connections and familiarity with both their teammates and the city they represent. In addition to their on-ice training, the prospects enjoyed various off-ice activities such as attending a Clippers game, visiting and training at the Columbus police academy, listening to an inspiring guest speaker, and sharing meals and laughter together throughout the week.

“The practices were intense and I really enjoyed them,” stated Nash. “The development coaches, Derek Dorsett, Tommy Cross, and Jarkko Ruutu, did an exceptional job leading the drills and ensuring that we focused on the specific needs of both the defense and the forwards.”

In my opinion, the activities that took place off the ice during the camp were quite enjoyable for the guys. They had a lot of fun visiting the police academy, engaging in educational sessions with a guest speaker, and attending the Clippers game on Thursday. Overall, I believe it was an excellent camp, and the players have expressed positive feedback, stating that they had a good time and learned a lot. Ultimately, that’s all we can hope for.

On Friday, Luca Pinelli and Luca Marrelli proudly display the Stinger Trophy at the conclusion of the prospects game during the Blue Jackets development camp.

© GABE HAFERMAN/BLUEJACKETS.COM

Luca At That

Luca Pinelli and Luca Marrelli were already well-known figures at the development camp, and their fame extended beyond just having the same first name.

Over the past few years, Pinelli and Marrelli, who were selected in the fourth and third-round of the 2023 and 2024 drafts respectively, have consistently faced each other on the ice, starting from their time in the Greater Toronto Hockey League up to their participation in the Ontario Hockey League.

Pinelli, being a prolific forward, and Marrelli, a defenseman, have engaged in numerous intense battles throughout their careers. Their encounters have been so frequent that Marrelli playfully mentioned at the draft that Pinelli likely wasn’t his biggest admirer due to their frequent face-offs over the years.

But with the two now in the same NHL team, the Lucas are like peas in a pod. The team put together a couple of TikToks featuring the two, and by the end they joked they should have a Luca and Luca podcast.

Pinelli stated that upon seeing him get drafted, he felt immense joy for his friend. He promptly sent him a text and they met up on the very first night, which led to a strong connection between them. Presently, they have become close companions. However, Pinelli anticipates that when they return to the ice, they will be opponents, albeit maintaining their friendship off the ice.

Marrelli and Pinelli are set to face off once more in the upcoming season. Marrelli will be returning to Oshawa for juniors, while Pinelli will be heading back to Ottawa after an impressive season at the age of 18. Pinelli, a 5-foot-9 forward with an incredibly accurate shot, had a remarkable performance last season, scoring 48 goals in 64 games. This made him one of the most successful CBJ draft picks in the league’s history.

Pinelli expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I believed I had a remarkable season. It boosted my confidence, and I embraced this newfound assurance throughout. It was beneficial. I have set clear expectations for myself and maintain high standards. My intention is to assume a leadership role and assure my coach that I am always available for utilization.”

Henricks Arrives

As a child, Tanner Henricks explored various sports, engaging in the typical ones like baseball and football, and even becoming a member of a club soccer team.

Hockey was the sport that truly gained popularity.

It may come as a surprise, given that he is from Mission Viejo, Calif., which is not typically recognized as a hockey hub. However, the popularity of the sport is on the rise in Southern California, thanks to the achievements of the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, both of whom have won the Stanley Cup in the past two decades. In fact, two players who have spent a significant amount of time in California, Macklin Celebrini (drafted as the No. 1 overall pick by San Jose) and Zeev Buium (drafted at No. 12 by Minnesota), were selected in the top 15 of the recent NHL draft.

Henricks, who was selected by Columbus as the 101st overall pick in the fourth round, is also contributing to the hockey growth in California, known as the Golden State.

The defenseman for the Lincoln Stars (USHL) expressed, “Although it may not be the most popular sport, it is undeniably gaining popularity. I explored various sports, but it was my brother who recommended ice hockey. He used to skate at a rink nearby where we reside. Initially, I watched him for a couple of weeks, but eventually, I grew tired of just observing and decided to give it a try. I laced up my skates and never turned back.”

At the age of 6, he began his journey in skating, and it has undeniably paid off as he is now just 17 years old and already a draft pick for the NHL. Like the other defensemen chosen by the Blue Jackets in the recent draft, he possesses an impressive stature (6-4, 206 pounds), exceptional skating skills, and a surprisingly accurate shot, all of which he showcased during the development camp. While Henricks defines himself as a two-way defenseman, his statistics in the USHL (no goals and nine assists in 59 games) indicate that he primarily excels in the defensive zone.

He was the only CBJ draft pick out of the six who did not attend the event two weeks ago. However, he watched the event from his home. The fact that the Blue Jackets drafted him wasn’t a major surprise, as he had already met with the team during the season and at the combine. He is pleased that everything has worked out for him.

“I was actually sitting on the couch with my family, casually watching TV, when suddenly my mom received a call from our agent right before the pick,” he recounted. “She jumped up, bubbling with excitement, shouting, ‘Watch! Watch!’ at the top of her lungs. As I saw my name appear on the screen, I was frozen in disbelief. It was such a shocking moment, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it.”

Ashton Measures Up

Luke Ashton’s height is the most noticeable feature about him.

Before he even laces up his skates, the 2024 draft’s sixth-round selection for the Blue Jackets stands tall at an impressive height of 6-foot-7.

It can be said that the defenseman’s size is a natural attribute.

Ashton stated, “My mother stands at 6 feet tall, while my father measures 6 feet 3 inches. Moreover, I have a younger brother who is expected to surpass my height as well.”

Hunter, the younger brother, is also an exceptional hockey player in their North Vancouver, B.C., home. At the age of 16, he achieved an impressive performance in prep hockey, scoring almost a point per game last season.

It is not just a large family, but also a highly competitive one. Both of his parents were involved in high school sports, and the backyard sport court has surely witnessed numerous intense battles.

Ashton, who topped the charts for defensemen in the British Columbia Hockey League last season with 18 goals and 18 assists in 53 games, has secured a bright future. Following his impressive performance, the 19-year-old is now set to embark on his freshman season of college hockey at Minnesota State University. In preparation for the upcoming season, Ashton has already commenced his classes and training in Mankato over the summer. The season will kick off with a game against Michigan, alongside his fellow CBJ prospect, William Whitelaw.

Although Ashton is originally from north of the border, he will have the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing in the NCAA.

“I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in the Burnaby Winter Club program, which provided numerous opportunities for trips to the United States for tournaments. During these trips, I had the chance to visit several college hockey facilities, and that’s when my passion for the NCAA route ignited. From a young age, I always aspired to play college hockey, and that desire instantly captivated me.”

Rysavy Parties On

Throughout the year, fans of the Blue Jackets closely followed Denton Mateychuk, their first-round draft pick for 2022, as he showcased his remarkable skills in the Western Hockey League. His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in guiding Moose Jaw to secure their inaugural league championship and secure a spot in the prestigious Memorial Cup.

Mateychuk, a highly praised prospect for the CBJ, earned the moniker “Captain Serious” due to his unwavering concentration during games. However, there was another Blue Jackets draft pick named Martin Rysavy, who had a contrasting nickname – “Marty Party” – indicating a completely different energy compared to Mateychuk.

Rysavy’s billet parents coined the nickname, and whenever he stepped onto the ice this season, it was always an exciting affair. Standing at an impressive 6-2, 220 pounds, this Czech forward delivered outstanding performances, achieving career-best records of 25 goals and 44 points in 63 games. Additionally, he showcased his skills during the team’s 20-game WHL postseason run, contributing with a remarkable 6 goals, 10 assists, and 16 points.

Because he was both an import and an overager, he mentioned feeling the pressure to deliver, and he certainly did.

“I believe I took it to a whole new level,” expressed Rysavy, a seventh-round pick by the Blue Jackets in 2021. “By the end, I emerged as the second highest-scoring European player in Moose Jaw history, so I was thrilled with my entire season. I managed to regain the trust of the team, coaching staff, and the general manager. Overall, I am content with how the season unfolded.”

Due to his age, Rysavy is unable to go back to juniors, but the Blue Jackets still have his signing rights for another year. Therefore, it is uncertain what will occur in the upcoming season. However, Rysavy is aware that he can eventually return to Moose Jaw after the city celebrated the league champions with a parade.

He expressed that the most rewarding aspect of winning the championship was not just the personal achievement, but rather the opportunity to win it for the city and the individuals who have supported him throughout his time there. He received numerous text messages from people urging him to return whenever he desired, assuring him that they would make arrangements for his stay. It was heartwarming to know that he would always be welcomed in that place.