Devils Development Camp Day 1 | NOTEBOOK

The Devils took to the ice for the first time at 2024 Development Camp on Monday.

Stay tuned to the notebook for the latest info, updates, interviews, videos and more from the practice session!

Seamus Casey Ready to Turn Pro

After two seasons at the University of Michigan, Devils prospect blueliner Seamus Casey signed an entry-level deal with the club and is ready to make the next step. 

“It was a great year," Casey said of this past season in Michigan. "We started off with a tough first half. The pressure was on in the second half. We had a really good group. Younger, lost some key seniors.”

Despite the slow start, Michigan clawed its way back into the picture and ended up making it to the Frozen Four, ultimately losing to Boston College in the semifinals. 

“It was such an incredible year the way we pushed in the second half, made a run and got back to the Frozen Four when many didn’t think we could. It was tough to not get it done in the end.”

In 40 games played, Casey improved to 45 points from 29 the year before. That ranked him fifth on the team and first among defensemen. 

“I made some steps defensively. With Luke leaving, having to step up into a bigger role, that trajectory and path I was on. It was a ton of fun to play more minutes, penalty kill and all that.”

Now that he's ready to turn pro, he knows the ultimate goal is to make the NHL and he has a good idea of what it'll take to do that in terms of how to play. 

“Playing in the NHL is hard, right? You’ve got to be physical, play 82 games. As a smaller D, they’re excited I can do things offensively but in the NHL you’re defending more,” he added. 

“Get bigger and stronger. I’m on my way to do that.”

Casey knows the tough road ahead of him. 

“It’s hard to make an NHL team," he acknowledged. "The Devils are doing a great job acquiring guys, draft well and signing guys. I just want to do my best to make the team and wherever they think I can develop the most.

“Now it’s just so exciting to try and make a team again. You get chills to step on the ice and compete, win a spot and if not, you go to the next best place.”

Silayev Makes Big Impression

Towering over reporters, big 6'7" defenseman Anton Silayev made an impression on the first day of Development Camp. 

“I’m very happy to be here," he said through a translator. "I’d like to stay longer but unfortunately I have to go back to Russia and prepare for the KHL next season there.”

When asked about his career goals, his response was ambitious. 

“Ultimate goal is to get the Stanley Cup. I’d like to be the best defenseman in the League. It’s very important to get more skills and be stronger. Improve in any areas possible to be because the NHL is the highest league in the world.”

Being in New Jersey, he added that he's very impressed by the surroundings with Development Camp being held at Prudential Center. 

“I’m very impressed to come and play in the NHL. Huge locker room, very great. Very good excitement and emotions. It’s giving me a challenge to be better and better and come over here.”

Silayev was also asked about his current head coach in the KHL, former Devil Igor Larionov. 

“He taught me a lot, taught me how to be a better player, see the ice better, understand the game better. He’s going to continue to teach me more because he’ll be my coach for a couple more years.”

Finnish League the Best Development Spot for Malek

Devils prospect and Czech goaltender Jakub Malek has had a bit of an unorthodox path, tending goal in Finland with Ilves Tampere in Liiga. He was asked why he decided to take that direction. 

“I take it because there was an option to go there. I’m already there two years," he said. "I think it’s really important to improve because Liiga is super fast and it’s really difficult to play there. Every day for me I can improve there.”

Malek signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Devils in May but said he will do at least one more year in Liiga before coming over to North America. The timing should work out with goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen slotted in New Jersey and currently Nico Daws and Isaac Poulter in Utica. 

Malek said that the number of goaltenders in the organization -- two more were added on Saturday at the NHL Draft as well -- doesn't feel like a concern to him. 

“I think it’s just how it works here. Goalies come and go. I don’t think about it. If there’s 10 goalies, five goalies, doesn’t matter. I’m here to concentrate on myself.”

Chase Stillman Finding His Stride

Following a rookie season that saw him net 14 goals and 24 points in 54 games for the Utica Comets, Chase Stillman is ready for year two. 

“It was a pretty good rookie season for me in the NHL,” he said. “Numbers-wise, it was fine for the type of player that I am. I think there’s more to my ceiling I can hit. A lot of that comes with confidence and opportunity.”

When asked what he's been working on improving, he had high praise for his AHL coach. 

“Lot of things, worked with Kevin Dineen a lot. I love him as a head coach and liked him as a player as well. He’s old school, hard-nosed and scored a lot of goals.”

He added that taking the puck to the net was another thing he's been working with Dineen on in addition to building up strength. 

“My skating improved. I hit a new step that way.”

Stillman's dad, Cory Stillman, also took the AHL path despite being a very high draft pick of the Calgary Flames. That gives Chase patience in his own development. 

“My dad played two years in the minors and was sixth overall. My brother got to the NHL faster as 4th rounder even though my dad was sixth overall,” stated Chase, noting his brother Riley Stillman who made it to the Florida Panthers as a regular in year two of his pro career but did return to the AHL this past season. 

Stillman sees himself as a versatile forward who can play all positions if called upon. 

“I played a little in the middle last year and that’s when I started finding my stride. Got more puck touches throughout the game. My confidence grew that way," he remarked. “I've played more at wing in my career but did all my minor hockey at center.”

Development Camp Roster

The roster for Development Camp this year is as follows: 

FORWARDS

45 Jack Malone
53 Petr Hauser
54 Kasper Pikkarainen
61 Chase Stillman
62 Cole Brown
64 Herman Traff
68 Samu Salminen
70 Max Graham
73 Dylan Wendt
76 Matyas Melovsky
77 Cam Squires
83 Doug Grimees
89 Josh Gilmon

DEFENSE

38 Topias Vilen
41 Ethan Edwards
52 Anton Silayev
55 Mikael Diotte
58 Chase Cheslock
67 Spencer Sova
72 Seamus Casey
74 Charlie Leddy
78 Daniil Karpovich
81 Jackson Van De Leest
84 Viktor Hurtig
90 Daniil Orlov

GOALTENDERS

51 Tyler Brennan
60 Ajay White
81 Veeti Louhivaara
85 Jakuv Malek

For more information on this year's development camp, click here.