After the bustling draft and the commencement of free agency, a large portion of the NHL has sought refuge in cottage country.

As June transitions into July, the game becomes even more demanding with the addition of prospect development camps during the post-draft period, leaving little time for rest.

As a result, a few teams in the game have begun reconsidering development camps by either extending them into July or completely eliminating the typical on-ice activities.

As of now, there have been no changes in Columbus, and Rick Nash, CBJ director of player development, expressed contentment with the current arrangement.

“I personally place a lot of value on it,” he stated. “In my opinion, it’s fantastic to have the newly drafted players come here immediately – firstly, to meet everyone, and secondly, to begin familiarizing themselves with Columbus, the city, the arena, navigating the area, and experiencing the atmosphere. Many of our draft picks have never visited Columbus, Ohio before, and I believe that aspect holds significance.”

To witness the extent of its influence, one need not search beyond Cayden Lindstrom. Originating from Chetwynd, British Columbia, he was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Situated over 12 hours away from Vancouver and even farther from Columbus, Lindstrom had never set foot in the city. However, during the recent camp, he received an intensive introduction to Columbus.

Despite being injured, Lindstrom made the most of his time at camp. Although he could only skate for one day, his presence had a positive impact. Lindstrom graciously interacted with fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs for the loyal CBJ supporters. In addition, he had the honor of throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a Columbus Clippers game. Furthermore, Lindstrom took the opportunity to explore the city alongside his teammates, making the most out of his time in Columbus.

“At the end of the camp on Friday, Lindstrom expressed, ‘I have been treated exceptionally well. They have provided me with all the essential information about the city and the team. It was an enjoyable experience being here and immersing myself in the local culture. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far, and I must admit, the city of Columbus is starting to grow on me.'”

Lindstrom plans on returning later in the summer to further his season preparations. However, for now, he is taking some time off in British Columbia to relax after a hectic few weeks. He intends to enjoy activities by the water, such as boating and beach outings, all while maintaining his gym routine. Towards the end of the month, he will intensify his workout regimen.

Throughout everything, he will utilize this time to get ready and attempt to secure a spot on the team once camp starts in September. Hurriedly bringing Lindstrom, who had an impressive record of 27 goals and 46 points in 32 games last season with Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League before getting injured and missing the latter half, into the NHL is unnecessary. However, the competitor within him will concentrate on presenting his utmost abilities.

Lindstrom expressed his determination to participate in the tryouts, stating, “I will strive to give my best effort and work towards reaching that level and ultimately, the highest level. Being highly competitive, I am willing to do whatever it takes, even throughout the summer.”

Not only did he get to explore the city, but his entry into the Blue Jackets organization also provided him with the opportunity to familiarize himself with potential future teammates. Gavin Brindley, the 2023 second-round pick and the sole player in the camp with NHL experience from his one-game appearance in the previous season, made an effort to make Lindstrom feel at ease.

Brindley’s natural leadership skills shone through at dev camp, and he expressed his dedication towards this role.

Brindley expressed, “I spent a lot of time with Lindstrom and offered him assistance. It was enjoyable being around everyone, including the new draft picks, free agents, and familiar faces I’ve competed against since childhood. It was a fantastic experience to reunite with all the guys.”

At just 19 years old, Brindley stands out among the 28 other prospects at camp due to his impressive hockey résumé. Despite his age, he excelled in college hockey last season, ranking in the top 10 for goals (25) and points (53). Not only did he make his NHL debut with Columbus towards the end of the season, but he also had the opportunity to represent Team USA in both the World Juniors and World Championships.

As he returns to Florida to continue his offseason training, the wing gained valuable insights into the game by playing alongside and against professional players at the NHL level and the Worlds.

He expressed, “Having the knowledge of my position compared to other guys and identifying areas for improvement before summer is extremely important, don’t you think? I plan on focusing on the small details and making the most out of this summer by enhancing my skills as much as possible.”

As the offseason comes to an end, the Blue Jackets prospects bid farewell to each other and return to their homes. The development camp provided an opportunity for them to further bond and familiarize themselves with both their fellow prospects and the city. In addition to their on-ice training, the young players enjoyed attending a Clippers game, exploring the Columbus police academy, listening to a guest speaker, and sharing meals and laughter together throughout the week.

Nash expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I found it to be excellent. The practices were fast-paced, and I believe Derek Dorsett, Tommy Cross, and Jarkko Ruutu, the development coaches, did an outstanding job on the ice. They ensured that we focused on specific aspects of our play, both for the defense and the forwards.”

I believe that the off-ice activities, such as the visit to the police academy, the educational session with a guest speaker, and attending the Clippers game on Thursday, were enjoyable for the guys. Overall, I find the camp to be excellent, and the players have provided positive feedback, expressing that they had a great time and gained valuable knowledge. Ultimately, this is all one can hope for.

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

© GABE HAFERMAN/BLUEJACKETS.COM

Luca At That

Luca Pinelli and Luca Marrelli were already well-known at development camp, and it wasn’t solely because of their shared first name.

Over the past few years, Pinelli, a fourth-round pick in 2023, and Marrelli, the Jackets’ third-round choice in 2024, have faced off against each other in numerous hockey games. They have competed against one another in various leagues, ranging from the Greater Toronto Hockey League to the Ontario Hockey League.

Pinelli, being a prolific forward, and Marrelli, as a defenseman, have engaged in numerous intense duels on the ice. Their encounters have been so frequent that Marrelli humorously mentioned at the draft that Pinelli likely didn’t hold him in the highest regard.

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 expressed his joy upon witnessing his friend getting drafted, stating, “Upon learning about his draft, I was undeniably thrilled for him.” He further revealed that he promptly sent him a text and they met up on the very first night, which led to a strong connection between them. As a result, they have become great companions. Pinelli anticipates that when they return to their respective teams, they might be adversaries on the ice but maintain their friendship off the ice.

Next season, Marrelli and Pinelli will face off once more. Marrelli will be returning to Oshawa for the junior league, while Pinelli is set to go back to Ottawa after an outstanding performance at the age of 18. Pinelli, a 5-foot-9 forward known for his lethal shot, had an impressive season last year, scoring 48 goals in 64 games. This made him one of the most productive CBJ draft picks in the history of the league.

Pinelli expressed his satisfaction with his season, stating, “I believed I had a remarkable season. It allowed me to gain confidence, which I embraced and utilized to my advantage. This has been instrumental in my performance. I have set high expectations for myself and I strive to maintain them consistently. My main goal is to establish myself as a leader and assure my coach that I am available to contribute whenever needed.”

Henricks Arrives

During his childhood, Tanner Henricks participated in a variety of sports as one might anticipate. He engaged in baseball, football, and even became a member of a club soccer team.

Hockey was the sport that truly gained popularity.

It may come as a surprise, given that he comes from Mission Viejo, Calif., a place not particularly renowned for its hockey culture. 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 within the last two decades. In fact, two players who honed their skills in the state were selected in the top 15 picks of the recent NHL draft. Macklin Celebrini, chosen as the number one overall pick by the San Jose team, and Zeev Buium, selected as the twelfth pick by Minnesota, both spent a significant amount of time developing their talents in California.

Henricks, who went 101st overall (fourth round) to Columbus, is also contributing to the hockey boom in the Golden State.

The defenseman of the Lincoln Stars (USHL) mentioned, “While it may not be the most popular sport, it is certainly gaining momentum.” He shared, “I experimented with various sports, but it was my brother who recommended ice hockey. He used to skate at a rink nearby. Initially, I observed for a week or two, but eventually grew weary of watching and decided to join in. I put on my skates and haven’t regretted it since.”

At the age of 6, he began his journey in skating, and it has undeniably paid off, given that Henricks, at just 17 years old, has already been selected in the NHL draft. Similar to all the defensemen chosen by the Blue Jackets in the recent summer draft, he possesses an imposing stature, standing at 6-4 and weighing 206 pounds. Additionally, his skating abilities are impressive, and he showcased a surprisingly proficient shot during the development camp. Although Henricks identifies himself as a two-way defenseman, his statistics in the USHL indicate that he primarily excels in the defensive zone, with no goals and nine assists in 59 games.

Notably, he was the only one among the six CBJ draft picks who did not attend the event two weeks ago. However, he made sure to catch the proceedings from the comfort of his home. The Blue Jackets selecting him didn’t come as a major shock, given that he had previously met with the team both during the season and at the combine. He’s content that everything fell into place 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, brimming with excitement, and exclaimed, ‘Watch! Watch!’ with a loud scream. As I witnessed my name flashing on the screen, I was frozen in shock. I couldn’t fathom what I was seeing. It was too astonishing to grasp.”

Ashton Measures Up

Luke Ashton’s height is the initial standout feature about him.

Before even lacing up his skates, the Blue Jackets’ sixth-round draft pick in the 2024 draft stands tall at an impressive 6-foot-7.

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

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

The 16-year-old younger brother, Hunter, is also an impressive hockey player in their family’s North Vancouver, B.C., home. He achieved nearly a point per game during the previous prep hockey season.

In addition to being a large family, it is also a highly competitive one. Both of his parents were involved in high school sports, and their backyard sport court has undoubtedly witnessed numerous intense showdowns.

Ashton, who topped the British Columbia Hockey League defensemen with 18 goals last season and contributed 18 assists in 53 games, has had everything fall into place for him. Following his exceptional performance, the 19-year-old is embarking on his freshman year of college hockey at Minnesota State University. He has already begun attending classes and preparing for the upcoming season in Mankato this summer. The season will kick off with a game against Michigan, where he will face off against his fellow CBJ prospect, William Whitelaw.

Although Ashton is originally from north of the border, he is determined to fulfill his dream of playing in the NCAA in the United States.

He mentioned that he was fortunate to have been part of the Burnaby Winter Club program during his youth, which provided numerous opportunities to travel to the United States for tournaments. These trips allowed him to visit various college hockey facilities, and it was during this time that he developed a deep admiration for the NCAA route. From a young age, he had always aspired to play college hockey, and the allure of the NCAA captured his heart from the very beginning.

Rysavy Parties On

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

Mateychuk, the highly praised prospect for the Columbus Blue Jackets, earned the moniker “Captain Serious” due to his unwavering concentration during games. However, Martin Rysavy, another draft pick on the team, had his own nickname – the “Marty Party” – which conveyed a completely different energy compared to Mateychuk.

Rysavy’s billet parents coined the nickname, and whenever he hit the ice this season, it was always a celebration. Standing at 6-2 and weighing 220 pounds, the Czech forward had an outstanding performance, recording his highest career stats of 25 goals and 44 points in 63 games. Additionally, he contributed greatly with a 6-10-16 line in the team’s 20-game WHL postseason journey.

Feeling the pressure as both an import and an overager, he expressed his determination to deliver, and that’s exactly what he achieved.

“I believe I took it to the next level,” expressed Rysavy, a seventh-round pick for the Blue Jackets in 2021. “In the end, I emerged as the second highest-scoring European player in Moose Jaw history, so I felt content with the entire season. I managed to regain the trust of the team, coaching staff, and the GM. Overall, I am pleased with how the season turned out.”

Due to his age, Rysavy is unable to go back to juniors. However, the Blue Jackets still have his signing rights for another year, leaving his future for the upcoming season uncertain. Nevertheless, Rysavy is aware that he can return to Moose Jaw in the future, especially after the city celebrated the league champions with a postseason parade.

He expressed that the highlight of winning the championship was not just the victory itself, but rather the joy of winning it for the city and all the individuals who have supported him during his time there. He received numerous messages from people urging him to return anytime, offering their hospitality and assuring him that he will always be welcomed.