UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – With the 2019 NHL Entry Draft in the rearview, many NHL development camps are already in full swing this week with others getting started in the coming weeks. Penn State is once again well represented across the league with 10 current players, three former players and one incoming freshman set to tone their skills with NHL clubs.
Returning draft picks Cole Hults (LA – June 24-28), Evan Barratt (Chicago – July 13-19), Denis Smirnov (Colorado - 6/24-30) and Aarne Talvitie (New Jersey – 7/8-13 ) along with recent draftee and incoming freshman Kevin Wall (Carolina – 6/25-29) will each travel to their respective development camps this summer while 2018-19 captain Chase Berger (Pittsburgh – 6/26-28) and Penn State all-time leading goal scorer Andrew Sturtz (Ottawa – 6/24-28) are currently participating with the clubs they signed with after leaving Hockey Valley. Ludvig Larsson (New Jersey - 7/8-13) will also be attending Devils camp after signing an AHL contract with Binghamton back in May.
The Nittany Lions also sent a trio of players to New York Islanders camp, which began on Sunday, as Liam Folkes, Peyton Jones and Sam Sternschein each made the trip to Long Island over the weekend. Last season's leading point getter, Alex Limoges, is currently in Detroit at Red Wings camp through Saturday while 2019-20 captain Brandon Biro is at Penguins camp with Berger.
Nate Sucese (Boston – 6/25-29) and Paul DeNaples (Vancouver – 6/24-28) round out the Nittany Lion representation across the league this summer.
NCAA student-athletes participating in NHL development camps do not have their eligibility affected. The camps give team draft picks and free agent invitees the chance to experience an NHL camp with team staff on and off the ice.
Penn State opens the 2019-20 season when the puck drops against Sacred Heart on October 11.