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Given that most of the talk focused around the Flames 2013 Development Camp has been toward the newly acquired draft selections and guys like Baertschi and Gaudreau, I thought it would be a good idea if we discussed a few "unfamiliar" names, too!
Below I have listed a few players who will be attending camp this year whose names might not stand out to many fans as they have yet to really, well, make a name of themselves! I will do my best to give an overall description of each player and what we could expect from them. I will also include stats from the last season played by each player.
My intention is that after having read this blog, that fans will be more familiarized with some of the names skating around over the next week or so. Enjoy!
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67 CULKIN, RYAN
Defenseman – 19 years old – Montreal Quebec
6’1 185lbs
As a 5th round selection in 2012 for the Calgary Flames, Culkin has yet to take his game beyond the QJMHL. With that being said, his play is developing as a strong skating defenseman who can play a 200 foot game. Where Culkin’s game lacks is his physicality in his own end. He will continue to work on his overall strength but has shown some promise in his ability to carry the puck and create offensive rushes.
2012-13 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 67 5 40 45 46 28
43 DEBLOUW, MATT
Centerman – 19 years old – Chesterfield Michigan
6’0 185lbs
Deblouw is very quick on his skates and is defensively responsible. Matt is known for his defensive game more than anything as he struggles to produce offensively. As such, he has the ability to become a strong skating, defensive forward in the NHL one day, but will need to work on his overall strength and size which is required for such a role. DeBlouw is receiving much attention on specialty teams and will continue to develop his game at the NCAA level.
2012-13 Michigan State University CCHA 42 10 11 21 34
45 EDDY, DAVID
Right Winger – 22 years old – Woodbury Minnesota
5’11 190lbs
Eddy has made a name for himself at the ECHL level by not only being an agitator, but also as a guy who can create plays and crash the net. David is the type of player who, if he can’t find the back of the net, he will win coaches over with a big hit or fight. A player who sacrifices his body for his team, Eddy has a lot of fight in him and will need to work hard if he’s going to make the jump to the AHL or NHL one day. Look out for the strong skating forward to push for a spot on the Heat this year.
2012-13 Utah Grizzlies ECHL 32 5 11 16 61
50 GORDON, CODA
Left Winger – 18 years old – Cochrane Alberta
6’1 180lbs
A player who fits the "Jay Feaster prospect mold", Gordon has excellent hockey sense and works his butt off night in, night out. He sees the ice very well and has the ability to start and finish plays by getting to the net. Though not overly quick on his skates, Gordon will need to improve upon his speed if he’s going to make the next step. The 18 year old should continue to grow and add some needed size to his frame, and with a little work on his foot speed, we could be seeing a lot of Gordon in upcoming years.
2012-13 Swift Current Broncos WHL 70 17 42 59 21
68 MARTIN, JAMES
Defenseman – 22 years old – Winnipeg Manitoba
6’2 205lbs
Another prospect with a high level of hockey IQ, Martin is a big defenseman who moves the puck very well. Martin is known for his leadership qualities on and off the ice in addition to his strengths while part of the specialty teams. Although a larger defenseman, Martin could improve in his overall physicality and will need to continue to work on his foot speed and positioning in his own end.
I would expect to see Martin play a good portion of the season this year with the Heat as he has been impressing management with his development. If Martin is going to push his game to the professional level he will need to showcase his hockey sense and puck moving abilities.
2012-13 Utah Grizzlies ECHL 44 3 10 13 54 -3
2012-13 Abbotsford HeatAHL 5 0 1 1 7
Thanks for reading!