A seventh-round pick in 2020 by the Preds out of Northeastern, Fontaine's first Development Camp experience didn't disappoint, and the speedy forward gained a wealth of experience to take back as he continues his collegiate career.
"I was just really open minded, really excited to be here," Fontaine said. "I'm just looking forward to coming back next year, and hopefully next year I can just improve more and be ready to hopefully make the lineup soon, just sign a contract at one point and make pro."
One of Fontaine's teammates who also found the back of the net for Team Gold - Grant Mismash - is ready to do just that.
Selected by Nashville in the second round of the 2017 Draft, Mismash has now completed his time at the University of North Dakota and signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the Preds last April. A Development Camp veteran, Mismash never tires of the experience, and now that he's ready for the next step in his career, the tutelage means more than ever.
"Just habits taken away, the details, [those are most important]," Mismash said. "We had presentations from [Preds Head] Coach [John] Hynes and things like that, and he really tells you how to get to the NHL. Those are the most valuable details that we can take in here as players, and we're able to talk to guys like that who are already in the NHL and coaches or management, whatever the case may be. They know the ins and outs, and I'm just trying to soak in everything I can for main camp and do my best I can when I come in September.
"Becoming a pro, I'm just trying every day [to mature]. I'm fresh out of college, so I don't want to say I have a lot of time, but I'm still young and I've still got young legs, so I've just got to work on a few more areas of my game and a little bit of off the ice with some nutrition and whatnot. I've just got to bear down with that and get better in any area I can."
Of course, being on the winning side of Thursday's scrimmage is a bonus too, and for all the time spent over the years at different installments of Development Camp, Mismash experienced a first this time around.
"My favorite memory from this camp, probably just tonight, winning - I don't think I've won [in the Future Stars Game]," Mismash laughed. "This is my first camp I think I've won, so it feels good to win."
No matter the final result, each of the week's 26 participants are now better hockey players thanks to the guidance and teachings from those tasked with taking Nashville's top prospects to the next level, and for players like Mismash, learning alongside the next generation of Preds never gets old.
"It was a great week," Mismash said. "It's always good to come back here and see familiar faces and see some new faces. Seeing the new guys that get drafted, we've all been there before, and it's cool to see their faces when they get here and the emotions that we all had at one point. Tonight, it was a good game and good to get the W. But we all battled this week, and it was a really fun week."
In addition to Mismash and Fontaine, Zach Solow tallied twice, and Jachym Kondelik also scored for Team Gold. Isak Walther and Jake McLaughlin were the goal scorers for Team Blue.
With Development Camp now complete, the Preds will turn their attention to Rookie Camp which is set to begin on Sept. 16 in Nashville before the team heads to Tampa, Florida, for a Rookie Tournament one day later.
