Development camp for many teams is a chance to get acquainted with the players they may not get to see as frequently as their AHL players. For the players, it is generally the same idea. They get a chance to get to know the coaches, the system, and the guys that will be guiding them on and off the ice as they try to make the NHL.
For this reason there are generally players around that you may not know much about or may not hear all that much about. While everyone knows about the Mike Amadio's and Adrian Kempe's of the system, there are a lot of good depth players trying to make their way.
I was able to catch up on Tuesday with two of those players in former Owen Sound Attack defenseman and Ontario Reign hopeful Damir Sharipzyanov. I also got together with 2015-16 breakout Michigan Tech defenseman Matt Roy. (Defenseman, not forward...more on that later!)
Sharipzyanov is perhaps a perfect example of a player who earned a spot with the Kings after an impressive development camp attendance last season as a free agent. If you do well in camp, they notice.
Inked to a three-year ELC last season, the 20-year old from Ninzhenkamsk, Russia, returned to Owen Sound where he played top pairing minutes on the left side with the more offensive oriented Santino Centorame. With his junior career behind him, Sharipzyanov joins an Ontario Reign team next year with a lot of potential openings on the back end.
On his expectations for the coming year:
This year I want to play in the NHL, er sorry, the AHL! Well, obviously I want to play in the NHL too but... (Laughs). Step by step I'm getting there, I'm working for it. But next year I want to play in the AHL, I'm going to work for it, there is no spot for me already, I gotta prove it. I gotta show that I can take one spot from a top 6 or top 4 defenseman.
On whether the potential openings on the Ontario backend have been discussed with him or not
No, I just know that you can always earn it. If there is no spot you can always beat someone. That's what hockey is all about, beating someone and making your dreams come true.
On how nice it was to get a game with Ontario at the end of last season (Damir slotted in for one game against San Diego on the final game of the season)
That was a really good experience to know how the game goes, how fast it is, how skilled it is. I liked the style very much, hopefully I can play in it again next year.
On the major challenges faced going from playing in Russian juniors, to OHL, to AHL
Obviously AHL is a pro league. It is better than juniors. From Russia to Canada it was a little hard. It is a different style of hockey, different size of hockey. Like a different rink and all that stuff. But the coaches helped me really well, and I am glad I joined it and an organization like the L.A. Kings.
On how he would personally describe his game
More of a stay at home defenseman. I hate when the other team scores on our team. But if I get a chance to join the rush or jump up and skate with the puck I'll take it. But first thing for me on the ice is don't let the other team score.
On improvements he is looking to make this offseason
Improve on my skating probably. Puck handling, first pass, all that stuff. It is summer right now so maybe my hands are a little bit shaky after a little break but I'm working at it. Hopefully I will be at my top physical readiness for season...I know that's what I gotta do to do my job and make the NHL.
On his plans after camp
I'm not going back home yet. I'm going to train in Minnesota with a coach, an off-ice training coach and a skating coach. I'm going to Detroit also, there is a skill coach and a shooting coach there.
Then from a defenseman vying for a spot in the AHL this season, we were able to catch up with the Kings 7th round selection in 2015, Matt Roy.
While maybe off a lot of people's radars at this point, Matt had a breakout season with Michigan Tech in 2015-16. After registering zero goals and just nine points in his freshman season, Roy led team defensive scoring with 20 points and seven goals. He finished 5th overall on team scoring, and was actually 4th overall in the WCHA in defensive scoring for the regular season winning Huskies. Though they went out to Ferris State in the conference tournament, Michigan Tech and Roy had a strong year that should be stronger next season.
Here is what he had to say when we caught up with him.
On how he would describe his game for those that have never watched him
My whole life I have kind of flown under the radar. But I think I am a reliable defenseman, I try to chip in offensively when I can, but I like being a safety valve and making my team as comfortable as I can when I am out there, give our team some confidence.
On what his strengths are
Definitely more defensive (strengths). Stick on puck, positioning. I like to make good first passes. Lately I have been getting the puck through, which has been good for me. It has been creating a lot of chances.
(JL: Yea that 3v3 drill you seemed to be making some nice passes)
(Laugh) Yea that was nice, I was just trying my best. Doing what I can.
On the reason for the odd "Forward/LW" listing from his draft year and on Elite Prospects.
(For those who have not seen it, Roy is
listed as a left wing on one of our more reliable hockey sources. Oops!)
I couldn't tell ya! It's funny, when I got drafted I was at home with my family and friends, and our internet went out. Right when I got picked of course. So we were kind of scrambling trying to get it back up, and it said "Matt Roy, winger from Canada", and everyone was like "Is that you, is that you??" and I didn't know. A few minutes later I got a call from Tony Gasparini and sure enough it was me. So they drafted a defenseman from America, but it said it was a left winger from Canada. (Laughs)
On what he could attribute his big improvements from Freshman to Sophomore year to
I was working on my stick-handling and shooting back home in the summer. Focused a lot on my skating and my overall habits. And I think the confidence from being drafted really helped me out, and definitely my teammates and coaching staff back at Michigan Tech helped me along the way.
Expanding on the confidence gained from being drafted helping him push himself
Yea a little. It is definitely cool but at the same time people think "Oh he's only a 7th-rounder". So whether I was a 1st-rounder or a 7th-rounder, I still definitely feel like I need to prove people right or wrong, and just keep working and working.
On what he is looking for next year from himself
Just looking forward to going back, trying to win some games, win some championships, and just continue to grow in my game and with my teammates and see where it takes us.
On whether or not he is looking at 4 years of college
I'm not sure. The plan is one more year there and then we will see what happens and see how the year goes.
On how he feels his style projects to the new, more mobile NHL
I think I am more of a containing defenseman, I'm not overly aggressive. But I like to be physical in the corners and use my stick a lot to defend. I'd like to keep working on my skating, especially in the corners, so I can move around the ice more and have a chance.
On the benefits of a development camp in order to get used to the Kings system
It's definitely eye opening. You work on stuff you don't really think about throughout the year. And ya know they are always on you if you mess up. They let you know. Your head has to be in it all the time and it just makes you focus and work harder more and more.
And finally, we were able to sneak in and get a quick exclusive quote with Director of Player Development Nelson Emerson.
On the defensive openings that are present with the Kings system right now.
Well It's kind of like that every year, you have new guys that come in and it is their time to shine. This is an exciting time for us, you are right. There are opportunities, and we want to see who grows into those opportunities. That's the interesting thing about this profession, or any profession really. Ya know there is always an opportunity for someone there, but ya know they are not going to give it to you. You gotta go and you gotta take it. We try and help these kids and mold these kids, and hopefully some of the ones you are talking about can do that.
Development camp will wrap up Friday for the Kings before breaking for the summer for at least a little bit. Follow all your regular Kings outlets for different thoughts and notes from Kings development camp.
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