Concluding 2023 Development Camp with Tom Kostopoulos

Pittsburgh's annual prospect development camp ended on Monday with a scrimmage…and a human canoe following an OT win for Team Stevens.

Many players during development camp saw a glimpse into their future careers and were introduced to the Penguins' staff. On the other hand, fans got a closer look at the young prospects and potential future stars within their favorite organization.

Here is some insight from Penguins' Director of Development, Tom Kostopoulos.

Video: Kostopoulos speaks to the media

2023 Draft Class

BRAYDEN YAGER

The Penguins' first round draft pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, Yager, made his way to Pittsburgh straight from Nashville with only his skates. When he arrived at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, he was pleasantly surprised to find his stall directly next to the one labeled "Sidney Crosby".

Yager showed up to compete on the ice this weekend, tallying multiple goals in the scrimmage and delighting both fans and hockey operations staff.

"I was impressed," Kostopoulos said. "First of all, just to get to know him. We got to know his family in Nashville and I think he had the whole town of Saskatoon there (laughs). But a great kid. Great family… He's a special kid and to watch him out there I think he moves well and skates well… He's got the hockey IQ."

2022 Draft Class

OWEN PICKERING

The Penguins' first round (21st overall) pick, Owen Pickering, continues to grow and is a leader amongst Pens prospects. Pickering spent the week as Yager's roommate, getting to know each other more, and sharing experiences and advice. The St. Adolphe, Manitoba native was lauded for exhibiting leadership qualities both on and off the ice.

"Just the way he carries himself on and off the ice - he's full of confidence," Kostopoulos said. "He moves up and down the ice a ton. His reach and his length out there and the playmaking ability that he had out there finding guy's backdoor."

LUKE DEVLIN

According to Kostopoulos, one of the themes of camp was taking the puck to the back post and Devlin did just that in the scrimmage today.

"He's big. He skates well. He's powerful… I love his demeanor and his work ethic. He wants to be a player and he's working hard at it."

The 6-foot-3, 187-pound forward will attend Cornell University to compete in his freshman year of collegiate hockey. Kostopoulos believes Devlin is in good hands with the coaching staff who will work on fine-tuning his game.

2021 Draft Class

DANIEL LAATSCH

Part of the reason the Penguins' drafted the 6-foot-5, 183-pound defender three years ago was because of his size, toughness, and skill.

"He's got one of the best defensive sticks for a kid his age in college hockey," Kostopoulos said.

"He's so good with his reach and his size; he's a really good defender that way. He's getting better and better on the penalty kill."

During the 2022-23 campaign, Laatsch ranked seventh overall in the Big-10 with 55 blocked shots. Laatsch will return to the University of Wisconsin to complete his junior year of collegiate hockey.

2020 Draft Class

CHASE YODER

When Kostopoulos was asked about Pittsburgh's sixth-round draft pick, Chase Yoder, three words came to mind: reliable, trustworthy, and leader.

"He is a very reliable centerman and defensively you can put him out there in any situation," Kostopoulos said. "He's so trustworthy. He's always on the defensive side of the puck. So I think the next step for him is adding more of an offensive element. I think he's a natural leader."

Yoder will compete in his fourth and final year of collegiate hockey with Providence College of the NCAA this upcoming season. Thus far in his NCAA career, the forward has tallied 16 goals, 16 assists and 32 points.

FREE AGENTS

BRAYDEN SCHUURMAN

In addition to draftees, free agents who were identified by the Penguins' scouting staff were given the opportunity to showcase their talent. Schuurman was one player who captured attention (especially during Monday's tournament) and will continue to be a player the Penguins keep their eyes on this upcoming season.

"He's definitely got some offensive ability," Kostopoulos said. "He had a good day out there today. I think he finished off a couple and it was nice to have him in this environment… I thought he did really well. He's a great kid so we'll track him throughout the season and see how it goes."

Schuurman will return to Victoria of the WHL to compete in his fourth full season.

TY GLOVER

The Salford, UK native forward has continued to breeze past players on the ice and improve as a player. Kostopoulos mentioned there are still areas where Glover can improve such as being a staple on the penalty kill to gain more ice time.

"He was flying out there. His speed was so noticeable, I'm sure you all saw it. In straight lines he can fly. I think his energy and attitude is contagious. It just spreads and the guys love him."

BIGGER PICTURE

One player who stands out to Kostopoulos most in terms of players in the prospect pool that can possibly make the jump is netminder Joel Blomqvist.

Blomqvist made his first appearance in a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins sweater on March 14, 2023, against Hartford. Although the score wasn't great, Blomqvist showed that he can play at the AHL level.

"We're really happy with where he's at," Kostopoulos said. "I thought he played great in the scrimmages here. He's in a good spot. We all think it's time for him to come over, that he's ready. It was nice to have him at the end of the year at Wilkes-Barre. He'll come to rookie camp and NHL camp and compete for a spot."