Follow @Sheng_Peng

We're still hearing about which RFAs Vegas has qualified.

David Schoen of the Las Vegas Review-Journal has confirmed that William Karlsson and William Carrier have been qualified.

I've confirmed that Philip Holm and Oscar Dansk have been qualified.

The Golden Knights would be crazy to not qualify Shea Theodore and Colin Miller, so we can safely add them to the list.

That leaves Tomas Nosek and Teemu Pulkkinen as unknowns as of now. Nosek should be qualified; I'm not sure about Pulkkinen.

Update:

Can confirm that ALL Golden Knights RFAs have been qualified.

We knew about Karlsson, Carrier, Dansk & Holm. Can also add Miller, Theodore, Nosek & Pulkkinen.

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 26, 2018

***

Vegas Development Camp starts this afternoon -- here's the roster and schedule:

Golden Knights have released their 2018 Development Camp roster: 6 of their 8 2018 Draft picks will be in attendance (no Morozov & Demin). Glass, Suzuki, Brannstrom & Hague will be returning. Here's the full roster as of 6/24: pic.twitter.com/wSa3WImD7O

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 24, 2018

If you'd like to attend Golden Knights attendance camp, be aware that wristbands are required for entry.

Details here, including the schedule. All on-ice sessions are open to the public, except 6/30, which is only for season ticket holders. pic.twitter.com/YfWSy6vm7x

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 24, 2018

Some less-obvious prospects to watch:

Defenseman Jimmy Schuldt was among the most sought-after college free agents this past year. However, the 23-year-old will be returning to St. Cloud State this fall. Does his presence here give the Golden Knights an inside track on him after this year?

Winger Gage Quinney is a Las Vegas native -- his father Ken was a star for the Thunder. Quinney also enjoyed a solid rookie season for Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate last year.

"It feels pretty good to be home," said Quinney, who has been keeping close tabs on his hometown team. "They proved everybody wrong and brought the city of Las Vegas together."

Defenseman Bobby Nardella led Notre Dame to a national championship last year -- his father Bob is an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves.

***

Justin Froese of Future Considerations also had these thoughts about these WHL invitees -- Ryan Chyzowski, Brett Kemp, Steven Owre, Martin Bodak & Reece Harsch -- to Vegas development camp:

Ryan Chyzowski-C-Medicine Hat: A lanky skill forward who is fairly raw and underdeveloped physically, lacks game-breaking speed but is smart enough positionally to get and create chances. Thinks well offensively and has the tools to undress defenders and beat goaltenders. Not a lot of sandpaper yet but could add this element and check out to be a solid two-way player. Should have been drafted 5th round in my eyes.

Brett Kemp-C- Edmonton: Slight-sized forward has a lot of tools to offer up offensively, but at times, looks as though he forgets to bring his box along. Short and quick strides allow him to dart around the ice and he plays a fearless game going to the net. Lack of drive on plays and consistency issues led to him being overlooked.

Steven Owre-F-Medicine Hat/UofA: A WHL alumni, Owre was a bit of a late-bloomer who put up respectable numbers as a PPG player but didn’t really break through until his final junior year. He is a small-sized forward who thinks the game well and can log situational minutes, but his playmaking ability is what stood out. Had a great freshman season at University of Alberta.

Martin Bodak-D-Kootenay: Slick Slovak who earned his stripes on a rebuilding team and was arguably the number-one guy after Cale Fleury was traded. Slick defender who has playmaking/puck-moving upside, skates well, and defends with his feet. Shows need for growth with play off the puck. Late '98 is going into his 20-year-old season.

Reece Harsch-D-Seattle: Big, hearty right-handed shot defender took some big steps forward as a draft +1 in that he proved to be more than just a physical guy. Harsch has been honing his game management skills and sees the ice well enough to make a strong first pass and chip in with secondary offence. Skates pretty well to boot, but isn’t a guy who gambles. A 40+ point 19-year-old season is likely in store.

***

Before the players hit the ice at City National Arena, they volunteered at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada yesterday.

Leslie Carmine, Director of Media Relations for Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, said their free, daily meal for the underprivileged was usually doled out cafeteria-style. Today, however, the Golden Knights' prospects served as waiters.

I followed 2017 draft pick Jack Dugan in line today. All the kids personally served meals for an hour.

He was asked if he was on the Golden Knights, "Not yet. Hopefully in the future." pic.twitter.com/lVCFmw6ncS

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 25, 2018

(Carmine noted that Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada always needs food. Donate here.)

"We're so blessed as hockey players to be able to play hockey, do what we love, and be able to support ourselves. But there are some people that are going through rough times," acknowledged Tyler Wong. "To be able to help them out, feed them a hot meal, and give them a smile on their face is something really important to me."

Also, the timing of this community event -- before camp -- is noteworthy. The Golden Knights held a similar event before development camp last year.

"This is a young group right here. We wanted to let them know last year how important community is," said Wil Nichol, Director of Player Development. "We like to do this first. It's part of our culture."

Not every team serves the community in this way or before development camp.

Nichol stated, "We wanted to let them know how important it is to be a Knight.

"As Mr. Foley has said numerous times, it's never giving up, never giving in, it's moving forward. But it's also to protect and help those who can't protect themselves. That's what today is.

"There's some people here who need some help. Maybe need some hope. We wanted to bring both of those things to these people.

"It's in the fabric of who we are. Character is everything to our group. This is a big part of character."

Wong echoed Nichol, "They want to be a classy organization that cares about the community, that also produces on the ice. [Bill Foley], Wil Nichol, and George McPhee have all said we want good hockey players, but we also want good people off the ice."

Glass, Brannstrom & Bouchard donate their time pic.twitter.com/8mAw6twjIP

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 25, 2018

View post on imgur.com

Nick Suzuki serves

View post on imgur.com

McPhee, on Zach Whitecloud's progress after joining Vegas: "Came in at 189 pounds, went home at 206."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) June 22, 2018

View post on imgur.com

Keegan Kolesar and volunteer Alcizar

View post on imgur.com

Jack Dugan signs an autograph



***

Wong also shouted out a charity that he gave to while in juniors, "There's a big one that I was a part of in Lethbridge. Kidsport. For every goal we scored, we donated $5 to that organization. For kids that aren't able to pay for hockey or other sports, they provide equipment."

Donate here.

***

++++I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ADVERTISERS! If you, or anyone you know would be interested in placing an ad here at HockeyBuzz, then send me a PM!++++

Tweets by Sheng_Peng

Join the Discussion: » 0 Comments » Post New Comment

» Golden Knights Top Senators 4-3; Work Announcement

» Kucherov & Stamkos Dissect Golden Knights, Lightning Win 3-2

» Golden Knights Give Away Point; Schmidt Re-signs for 6 Years, $35.7 Million

» Carrier-Bellemare-Reaves Show Off Model Golden Knights Hockey in 3-1 Win

» Scouts Say Tuch's Talent Should Make 7-Year Extension Well Worth It