DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills puts something of a bow on the Red Wings’ 2024 Summer Development Camp with an article discussing the final conclusions made by Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan Cleary, GM Steve Yzerman, and some of the Wings’ player participants as well:
“It’s always beneficial, especially to bring in the new draft picks, being able to get these kids over,” Cleary said. “It’s awesome, for me personally and for everyone involved, just to get to know each other.”
Development Camp is a beneficial experience for Detroit’s newest draft picks and younger prospects, who get to train at a state-of-the-art NHL facility and see what life is like as a professional hockey player. The players also learn how to take care of themselves off the ice.
“Things have evolved and changed so much, from nutrition to the skills and skating instructors, the performance science part of sports,” Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman said. “The kids have so much more information and education available to them. We’re hoping they soak it in.”
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“I thought Nate Danielson was great every day,” Cleary said. “Came in, terrific shape. I know we speak a lot about Nate, but he talks the talk and he walks it. He does everything right and he really showed the way in his testing, preparations and professionalism. The way he handles himself, his maturity and the way he talks (to the media). He’s a really great young kid.”
But Cleary made it clear that Development Camp isn’t about judging the Red Wings prospects. It’s about helping build a foundation for their professional careers.
“At the end of the day, you tell them to take it serious,” Cleary said. “Train serious. These kids are young, I get it. Once they leave here, don’t forget about everything we just worked on. The idea would be for them to take one or two things and hopefully, it sticks with them.”
