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First the NHL . . . then development camp |
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It’s not often a player will attend his first NHL development camp as a veteran of the league.
Detroit Red Wings forward Ryan Kuffner can boast of this feet.
Kuffner is participating in inaugural Wings development camp this week. He was signed as a college free agent late in the 2018-19 season and made his NHL debut.
Some might view this as a step down for a player who finished the last campaign in the show. Kuffner prefers to view it as a chance to step up.
“First, I think it’s a huge learning experience,” said Kuffner, signed out of Princeton. “I’m here for the whole summer so I know the things that I have to work on and I just take it from my experience being here for a few weeks.
“Here, I think because I’m one of the older guys, you just try to make sure all the younger guys feel comfortable and try to have fun with it, kind of get to know each other, especially the younger guys. As long as they feel comfortable, they’re going to be able to have some fun and not feel as many nerves so that’s all that matters.”
Taro Hirose, signed late last season out of Michigan State, finally got into action Friday. He missed the first three days of camp due to a hamstring strain.
“Last week I wasn’t feeling too great, so I didn’t want to push anything too hard, but it felt fine out there today, skating and everything, so it’ll be full go next few days,” Hirose said.
Like Kuffner, Hirose finished last season in the NHL. But unlike Kuffner, Hirose attended a previous Wings development camp as a free agent.
He collected 1-6-7 totals in 10 NHL games last season but Hirose is taking nothing for granted.
“It was huge for my confidence and letting myself know I can sort of play at that level,” Hirose said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of things I need to work on.
“I’ve been here for most of the summer, trying to work on my game and show them I can play at that level.”
Likewise, Kuffner has spent the summer in Detroit with an eye on keeping the city as his home when the NHL regular season begins in October.
“I think being here, it’s kind of away from home, it’s definitely a different regimen than I’m used to, a different routine, but it’s also a great opportunity, just 24 hours a day, do everything it takes to get as good as I can,” said Kuffner, held pointless in 10 games with the Wings last season. “That’s all that matters and I think that’s a big thing for me this summer is just being here, being with the guys, doing everything we can to make it a competitive environment because that’s only going to make us better.
“With the new gym, working with new skating coaches, skills coaches and different staff, that’s all that matters. It’s just a competitive environment that you live for and that’s what’s going to make me better.”
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