Future Stars conclude summer prospect camp

FRISCO, Texas – The Dallas Stars’ annual summer prospect camp concluded on Wednesday with a skills competition, a display that reiterated why many of these young men are the future of the organization. They came from as far away as Sweden and the Czech Republic, and from various North American hockey leagues to attend the week-long camp at the team’s practice facility in Frisco, Texas.
 

Included in the roster were the Stars’ two most recent first-round draft choices, Jack Campbell (11^th overall in 2010) and Scott Glennie (eighth overall in 2009), as well as recent second-rounders Patrik Nemeth (41st overall in 2010), Alex Chiasson (38th overall in 2009) and goaltender Tyler Bekorowany (59th in 2008).
 
Also attending were highly-regarded prospects like center Tomas Vincour (fifth round, 129th overall in 2009) and defenseman Philip Larsen (fifth-round, 149th overall in 2008). 
 
Outside of the daily schedule that included rigorous on-ice workouts and drills, one of the primary goals of bringing their prospects together was to have the players get familiar with the principles of the organization and how they do things, as well as meeting and getting to know one other.
 
Off-ice conditioning was highly emphasized. The young men worked extensively with Stars strength and conditioning coach J.J. McQueen. They also had some sessions at the Michael Johnson Performance Center in nearby McKinney, Texas. Instilling that off-ice work ethic is considered an important part of the training process and establishing a good physical foundation is crucial to their development. 
 
There were several events during the week-long schedule that allowed the players, who come from various hockey backgrounds, to bond with each other. The players attended a Frisco RoughRiders minor league baseball game at the Dr. Pepper Ballpark on Thursday night. They also visited the Cedar Park Center, home arena of the AHL Texas Stars, based just outside of Austin, where a number of them will play next season.
 
Forward Kevin King, a free agent from Calgary who plays for the Kootenay Ice (WHL) was thrilled to be invited to the camp.
 
“It’s been a ton of fun,” King said. “It’s a lot of stuff you don’t really get to work on during the season like the skill-specific kind of stuff. Obviously, there’s a lot of great players here so it’s fun to be surrounded by that kind of atmosphere; that caliber of players. I’ve enjoyed it.”
 
Goalie Tyler Beskorowany, who was signed to a three-year entry-level contract last September, is attending his second Stars camp and has enjoyed being back with the players and coaches he met at last year’s training camp.
 
“Last time I came in, I didn’t really know much and I didn’t know anybody, actually,” Beskorowany said. “So this time I came in and it’s been fun, just to be around the guys and see everybody again. (Goalie coach) Mike Valley is here now and taking what I learned last time from Andy Moog and this time from Mike Valley, it’s a great experience for me and as much experience as I can get from him is all the best for me.”
 
Beskorowany, 20, played last season with the Kingston Frontenacs (WHL) and will turn pro this season. He is enjoying going through the Stars’ developmental program.
 
“It’s the start of my career and it’s an exciting opportunity just to be able to skate with these guys and to spend some time with some of the NHL guys – to see what they do; what kind of routines they go through is exciting to me and I’ve enjoyed every second of it,” Beskorowany said.
 
19-year-old center Tristan King, who tallied 65 points (21 G, 44 A) in 70 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) last season, was asked what was the biggest impression he will take away from the camp.
 
“The level it takes to play in the National Hockey League…you’ve got to be prepared and work hard in the off-season,” King said. “Coming into camp has been a lot of fun. These coaches are awesome…I’m really learning a lot and improving my game. It’s a completely different level here. You’ve got to be 110% all the time and there’s always someone watching. The level of competition out here is so much higher than from where we’re all coming from.” As they return home, these young men take with them some of the tools they’ll need to continue their successful development as tomorrow’s professionals. How they use those tools will factor into whether or not they will play in the NHL. Many will have successful careers in the ECHL, the American Hockey League and in Europe. Some will eventually find a place on the Stars’ roster.
 
Goalie Jack Campbell, considered one of the NHL’s top prospects, is determined to do what it takes to make that happen.
 
“I’m ready to take on that challenge,” Campbell said. “I’m just working hard every single day and trying to take as much in as I can on a day-by-day basis and who knows if the day will come sooner than most people think?”
 
Contact the author/photographer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com