Red Wings prospect Eemil Viro offered a refreshing comment regarding what matters the most in terms of what the Red Wings’ summer development camp participants will take home from this week’s on and off-ice sessions, as noted by Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff:
“I think the friends on the team,” Viro said. “Getting to know the new guys, it’s gonna help me for next season. I’m really looking forward to that.”
The gathering of top prospects by an NHL team creates a very intriguing dynamic. These are the elite among the future of the game, from junior, college and European hockey. For most, it’s the first time they’ve met. That can prove awkward for longtime foes who suddenly find themselves fighting for the same side.
For anyone familiar with hockey culture, it won’t be the least bit surprising to discover that bad blood between opponents flows away easily like water under a bridge when they become teammates.
“It’s definitely a bit (odd at first),” Detroit goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa admitted. “When you don’t know a guy off the ice, on the ice you obviously make assumptions of the guy.
“But everyone here’s been great. At the end of the day, everyone’s competing on the ice. I think off the ice, everyone’s personality is a bit different. You might be chirping on the ice but off the ice, you can definitely become friends.”
Continued with more notes…
