Even with all the free agency buzz around the Vancouver Canucks, their prospects still had Development Camp on July 1. Today marked the prospects’ second practice session with the big club, with the large group being split onto two different rinks and ran through a sequence of drills.
Originally drafted 144th overall by Vancouver in 2022, Ty Young has seen his fair share of Canucks development camps. The goaltender is taking part in his fourth prospect camp this year, doing so after his first pro season spent with the Canucks organization.
“I think [I’m] definitely more comfortable. You kind of know the guys and stuff and know the coaches, say ‘hi’ to everybody, but it’s also just kind of the same mindset on the ice,” Young said after practice of what the previous three years of experience have done for him. “You just try to be a sponge. You’re never going to be a perfect goalie. You’re always going to be learning. I think that’s a key thing to kind of come into camp, no matter if it’s your first or fourth, you just want to kind of come out the best possible version of yourself.”
As mentioned, the big group was split in two during today’s practice, with Young part of the group that included newly-drafted Alexei Medvedev and camp invitee Alexander Levshyn.
“Today was a lot of post work and entries and stuff, and then also just kind of going out there and competing, having some fun, and then just kind of locking in a little bit earlier,” he added in terms of what the group had worked on. “I think higher intensity. We gotta be able to play this 2-on-2 game here and stuff, which is always kind of fun, just to be able to play and do your own thing. It’s really good.”
Unlike Young, invitee Matthew Hutchison is taking part in his first development camp with Vancouver. Originally from Nanaimo, BC, Hutchison has played for the Vancouver Giants and the Moose Jaw Warriors of the WHL. As a product of BC, his outlook on camp has been nothing but positive.
“It means the world to me. Obviously, growing up, they were my team. It’s essentially my hometown team. Looked up to them all my life, me and all my buddies. So getting the call to be able to come to training camp and be a part of the team for a period of time is huge. Great staff here, great players, and just all around, great experience to learn and grow my game.”
As a camp invitee, there’s no guarantee that Hutchison will remain with the team past training camp. However, he insists that his biggest takeaway from the week will be the knowledge shared by the staff and fellow players. “I think the biggest thing I’ve noticed is just how much it feels like every coach wants to help every player here, no matter if they’re drafted, signed, invited to the camp, whatnot. The energy and positivity here is unbelievable.”
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Despite being new to Vancouver’s prospect camp, there is one aspect of the week that Hutchison is no stranger to — the infamous Grouse Grind summit that all prospects and invitees take part in.
“I did it last year when I was with the Giants, and it was definitely a learning experience, first time,” Hutchison said. “Obviously, gotta pace yourself, not come out too hot out of the gates, and at the same time, just enjoy it. It’s a mental battle more than anything. It’s all worth it. When you get to the top, you get to see that unbelievable view of BC.”
“Don’t run on the first quarter mile there,” Young advised. “It’s like a little steep angle. You’re like, ‘oh, it’s not that bad.’ And all of a sudden you just hit a big incline. So yeah, don’t run in the first quarter mile.”
Prospect Camp at UBC resumes on Thursday, July 3
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