ST. PAUL -- With the 2022 NHL draft in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Wild will host their annual development camp this week at TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul.
The 72-hour event, which spans Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, will give various prospects a chance to showcase their skills to the organization. While people like general manager Bill Guerin and coach Dean Evason will be in attendance, members of the Iowa Wild coaching staff will lead the actual workouts on the ice.
There will be practices on Tuesday and Wednesday that are free and open to the public. There will also be a 3-on-3 tournament on Thursday that is free and open to the public. Any fans wanting to attend must register for each session at am.ticketmaster.com/wild/openpractices.
Here’s a look at some names to keep an eye on:
Marco Rossi
After recording 18 goals and 35 assists in 63 games with the Iowa Wild last season, top prospect Marco Rossi is going to be given every opportunity to make the big team out of training camp this season.
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There isn’t much the 20-year-old center needs to prove at development camp. He made his NHL debut last season during a Jan. 6 game against the Boston Bruins, and while he didn’t stick around, the organization is thrilled about his progress.
The next step for Rossi is carving out a niche at the NHL level. A solid effort at development camp should provide some momentum heading into training camp in a couple of months.
Jesper Wallstedt
Aside from Rossi, there might not be a prospect in the organization more intriguing than Jesper Wallstedt. He’s widely regarded as the goaltender of the future for the Wild, and this week will be the first time many in the Twin Cities get to watch him in person.
After being selected in the first round of the 2021 NHL draft, then returning to his native Sweden to continue his development, the 19-year-old goaltender signed his entry-level contract in the spring.
The plan right now is for Wallstedt to spend this season with the Iowa Wild. That will allow him to get some experience under his belt without rushing his development.
Adam Beckman
It was a rather disappointing campaign for Adam Beckman last season. After nearly making the big team out of training camp, Beckman only managed 11 goals and 23 assists in 68 games with the Iowa Wild.
The hope with the organization is that the 21-year-old winger will get back on track this season. He’s proven himself as a scorer in the past, and the Wild still believe in his skill set.
Maybe the development camp can serve as a launching pad for Beckman.
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Liam Ohgren
Not much is known about Liam Ohgren aside from the fact that he was the No. 19 pick in the 2022 NHL draft. He spoke with a palpable sense of confidence after being selected in the first round, so it will be interesting to see how that translates on the ice.
Though the 18-year-old winger isn’t close to contributing at the NHL level, this week will be good for Ohgren as he tries to make a name for himself within the organization.
Sam Hentges
After completing his collegiate career at St. Cloud State in the spring, Sam Hentges signed his entry-level contract with the Wild.
Now the 22-year-old will try to prove he’s someone that can help the organization in the long run. No better place to do that than at development camp.
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