All the sights and sounds from the third day of Devils' on-ice sessions.
It was a busy day at RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House as the New Jersey Devils hit the ice for one practice session before their second training camp scrimmage. The day's biggest news surrounded defenseman Luke Hughes, who returned to the ice. Below are some news and notes from the third day of training camp.
Training Camp Groups
Group A
Forwards: Tyce Thompson, Michael McLeod, Curtis Lazar, Max Willman, Jesper Bratt, Tyler Toffoli, Filip Engaras, Jack Hughes, Tomas Nosek
Defensemen: Brendan Smith, Colin Miller, Luke Hughes, Cal Foote, Michael Vukojevic, Kevin Bahl, Joe Gambardella (skating as a defenseman)
Goaltenders: Tyler Brennan, Vitek Vanecek
Group B
Forwards: Alexander Holtz, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Joe Gamberdella, Justin Dowling, Kyle Criscuolo, Brian Halonen, Cam Squires, Xavier Parent, Ryan Schmelzer, Josh Filmon
Defensemen: John Marino, Simon Nemec, Tyler Wotherspoon, Colin Felix, Daniil Misyul
Goaltenders: Akira Schmid, Isaac Poulter
Group C
Forwards: Chris Tierney, Shane Bowers, Ondrej Palat, Nolan Foote, Erik Haula, Chase Stillman, Cole Brown, Timur Ibragimov, Dawson Mercer, Graeme Clarke
Defensemen: Dougie Hamilton, Tobias Vilen, Robbie Russo, Jonas Siegenthaler, Santeri Hatakka
Goaltenders: Keith Kinkaid, Erik Kallgren, Jeremy Brodeur
- Chase Stillman will be kept off the ice, per Fitzgerald. "He's going to miss a little bit of time. You know, some bumps and bruises from rookie camp, but nothing we expect long-term."
Luke Hughes Participates in Practice
The biggest news on Saturday morning surrounded 20-year-old Luke Hughes. The defenseman, who was kept off the ice on Friday because of a "nagging thing he's had," returned to the ice to practice with Group B.
"A real good day," head coach Lindy Ruff said after the scrimmage. "We didn't know if we'd get him through the day; we kind of anticipated half a practice, but he got a full practice in. He feels good, so we're just progressing with him, and we'll see where he's at tomorrow."
09/23/23 Scrimmage Group A versus Group C
Lineups:
Group A
Bratt - Hughes - Toffoli
Nosek - McLeod - Lazar
Willman - Engaras - Thompson
Gamberdella
Bahl - Miller
Smith - Foote
Vukojevic
Vanecek
Poulter
Group C
Palat – Haula – Mercer
Foote – Tierney – Clarke
Ibragimov – Bowers – Bastian
Brown
Siegenthaler – Hamilton
Hatakka – Vilen
MacKinnon – Russo
Schmid
Brennan
Final: 3-2 Group A in overtime
Goal Scorers Group A: Bratt, Bahl, Hughes
Goal Scorers Group C: Palat, Bowers
Group C finishes the scrimmage with a record of 1-1. on Sunday, they will hit the ice for practice before the club's final scrimmage before preseason. One player who stood out from that group was forward Dawson Mercer. The versatile forward scored two goals on Friday and had a couple of additional opportunities on Saturday. He looks strong on his skates and quickly moved up and down the ice.
Hischier came out to watch his teammates about halfway through the scrimmage. The young captain stood by the glass and carefully observed the two groups battle on the ice. The 24-year-old did not leave until Hughes scored the game-winning goal in overtime.
The final scrimmage will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, and will feature Groups A and B. The Hockey News will continue to provide updates from RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House as the team prepares for their first preseason game.