Future Pros Go Camping

Around this time of year, hockey players around the world go to attend professional hockey development camps.  

Many may attend, but very few make it into the big show. In this case, the Windsor Spitfires have sent several players to rookie development camps to showcase their players’ skills to the pros. The Spitfires sent seven players off to camp.  

These players include Liam Greentree (Los Angeles Kings), Ilya Protas (Washington Capitals, Tnias Mathurin (Chicago Blackhawks), AJ Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks), Conor Walton (Colombus Blue Jackets), Cole Davis (Los Angeles Kings) and Anthony Cristoforo (Ottawa Senators).  

Spitfires fans are ecstatic for their players, as they are beginning to boast an improved development program. After a firing and multiple resignations in the coaching staff last season, a lot of Spitfires fans began to doubt that players would get the development they need to make it to the NHL. The future of these players started to look bleak, but there were some faithful fans and rivals who had hope for these players. 

“All great choices, Cristoforo could’ve used some development, but the rest are incredible.” said Kersen Szabo, an OHL fan who resides in London, ON.  

Cristoforo was a free agent alongside Davis, Walton and Mathurin. He has shown great defensive upside and was one of the more sought out defencemen in the league. Although the defensive core struggled, Cristoforo put on a show when backing up the Spitfires’ power-play or penalty-kill. This upside led more to believe that his and the other members futures will be very successful in the NHL. 

“Greentree was a huge steal going late in the first round, even Davis… They will be two big guys who will help that core… Spellacy is another one who looks to be a big factor as we saw at the NHL combine … The newest import the Spits got shown big steps in the OHL pre-season. Nonetheless, all those guys are in credible players. I can’t wait to see what they do next season… Going to camp is earned, not given,” said Pearen Wilbee, an OHL fan and content creator who goes by the nickname Wilbs. 

It was recently revealed that Protas, Greentree, Davis and Spellacy have made their training camp rosters. Protas, alongside the other members of the Spitfires will look to showcase their skill to the NHL and hopefully make it to their respective teams one day.