Everything that stood out from Day One of the Minnesota Wild's Development camp.
Everything that stood out from Day One of the Minnesota Wild's Development camp.
ST. PAUL - The Minnesota Wild opened their annual development camp on Tuesday with two practice sessions. They were split up into two different groups. The Wild had 28 prospects show up along with eight invitees.
Wild staff put the players through a variety of drills with a heavy emphasis on edge work and skating overall.
Many made an impact but there were a few who really stood out.
Ryder Ritchie
The Wild's 45 overall pick in the 2024 Draft showcased his skill quickly. He admits he wants to become a better skater but on day one he looked great.
"Yeah, I’d say my skating, I think," Ritchie said on what he would like to improve on. "I think it's gotten a lot better over the last couple of years, and I think the more explosive, the more stronger I get in my skating, I think it’ll make me a better player."
In the video above, you can see Ritchie's strengths are his shot and hands. He releases the puck well off his stick and day one he certainly proved that.
"Yeah, I’d say my edge work, my hockey IQ and just my offensive skillset," Ritchie said on the strengths of his game. "I think I shoot the puck really well, I’m a good passer and I think I can create (something) with deception. And I think I have some good hands. I think that’s probably the best part of my game."
Riley Heidt
Drafted two years ago, Heidt is beginning to turn some heads in the Wild's organization as a guy who could make the team out of camp. Heidt torched the WHL last year with the Prince George Cougars and displayed his wicked shot during day one of development camp on Tuesday.
I think every shot he took went in the net.
"Personally I believe that I’ve got a good shot," Heidt said on what he thinks about making the Wild. "I’ve worked hard my whole life. I think I fit right in. So it’s just going to come down to myself to compete every day and try and make it. So that’s what I’m going to do. It’s been my dream since day one. I wouldn’t be playing this sport if I didn’t want to do that."
Have the Wild staff told Heidt about his chances or the chance he will get come training camp and preseason?
"That’s just kind of my attitude. Obviously I’ve talked to the development guys a ton throughout the season and had some good talks to try to improve my all around game," Heidt said on if the Wild have indicated he would have an opportunity to make the NHL team out of camp. "I think I did a good job this year with the Cougars. I’m just trying to put one foot in front of the other every day and take it day by day, and work as hard as I can to give myself the best chance."
Charlie Stramel
The former Wild first-round pick struggled again last year after struggling during his draft year as well. It has been a long road for the Minnesota native but the Wild are hoping he can get back to what they think he can be and the player that they deemed was worth drafting with the 21st overall pick.
That will start with another new coach. Stramel played for Tony Granato with the Wisconsin Badgers during his freshman year and Mike Hastings with the Badgers for his sophomore year. He has now transferred to Michigan State to play for Adam Nightingale, whom he is familiar with.
"Yeah, I dealt with a little bit of injuries early on. Playing down the lineup a little bit. Wasn’t playing my best hockey personally, and then didn’t end up working up into a top spot throughout the year," Stramel said on his struggles last year. "So it is what it is. Obviously not where you want to be. But, I’m at (Michigan) State now. I’m pumped. Playing with a chip on my shoulder this season and looking forward to it."
Stramel played under Nightingale at the USNTDP so he is familiar with his systems and what Nightingale expects out of him on a daily basis. Playing under Nightingale was really the last time we saw how good Stramel can be. The Wild will hope that will come back out again.
It starts with him playing his game though and not letting other things affect him.
"Yeah I think getting back to my identity right? Just getting back to the power forward, 200-foot center, winning draws, good at the net front," Stramel said. "Not straying away from that. I think at times I strayed away from that at Wisconsin and it hurt me. I've got to stick to the player I am and the player I'm hopefully going to be at the next level. Just stick to the basics."
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