Wednesday, Jul. 08, 2009

Blues camp for prospects opens Wednesday

Runs through Friday at St. Louis Mills

ST. LOUIS -- When St. Louis Blues President John Davidson really wants a good read on one of the team's prospects, he relies on Al MacInnis.

The Hall of Fame defenseman and team vice president has a special way with young players, many of whom will be on display beginning today at the team's Pro Orientation Camp at St. Louis Mills.

"He has a great communication skill with a lot of the young people," Davidson said of MacInnis, who travels to watch and talk to many players in the Blues' system and once allowed defenseman Erik Johnson to live in his home. "He's not one to force things on anybody, but he'll really open up to Blues prospects. He's got a wealth of experience and information and these kids love to ask questions."

Current Blues T.J. Oshie and Johnson will join top prospects Alex Pietrangelo, Lars Eller, Ian Cole, Aaron Palushaj, Brett Sonne and goalies Jake Allen and Ben Bishop.

All events are free and open to the public. Practices will be held today through Friday, with the finale an 11 a.m. Blue-Gold scrimmage game at St. Louis Mills.

The camp covers everything from training techniques and nutrition to dealing with the day-to-day rigors of NHL hockey. Many of the players are already training in St. Louis under the direction of Blues strength and conditioning coach Nelson Ayotte.

"It's not a boot camp, it's more to come and really learn things," Davidson said. "It's a good four days of learning."

It's also a good chance for fans to see players who are close to making the leap to the NHL, as well as some of the newest draft picks and a few longshots just hoping to sign a pro contract or get noticed.

The players can measure themselves against each other.

A couple years ago, Oshie was still in college when he visited St. Louis for this camp.

"He went back (to college) for another year, but we could really see there was something there," Davidson said. "His skill, how much he wanted it, his energy level ... there was a little bit of everything."

Oshie burst onto the NHL scene as a rookie last season and became an immediate fan favorite because of his energy and relentless style. He also had 14 goals and 39 points in 57 games.

Players to keep an eye on are Pietrangelo and Cole (University of Notre Dame) on defense and forwards Palushaj (University of Michigan), Eller (coming off shoulder surgery), Philip McRae (London, OHL) and Swedish sniper Simon Hjalmarsson (Swedish Elite League).

"For us, it's a real good opportunity to see how guys are coming along physically," Davidson said. "It's also a good chance for our training staff to get to know these kids, get to watch them train and talk to them about their strengths and weaknesses."

McRae, the son of former Blues player and current scout Basil McRae, had 29 goals and 60 points in 59 games for his junior team in London, Ontario.

He's also 6-foot-2 and close to 190 pounds, noticeably bigger than he was last summer.

"It's amazing what six or seven months can do since you've last seen a player," Davidson said.

Davidson said recent first-round draft pick David Rundblad had a previous commitment and won't be at the camp. But the team's second-round pick, 6-7 defenseman Brett Ponich, will be on display.

"He's a work in progress, but this kid wants it bad," Davidson said.

So does Cole, who reportedly is weighing a decision whether to return to Notre Dame for his junior year of college or to turn pro. He's also taking summer classes to continue working toward a degree.

"He's coming to the camp and he's scheduled to go back to college," Davidson said. "Until we hear different, that's what we know. He's got a chance to be a good player."

Notes: Former St. Louis Blues defenseman Jeff Woywitka signed a two-year, $1.3 million deal Tuesday with the Dallas Stars. A statement released by the Stars said Woywitka will be paid $600,000 this season and $700,000 in 2010-11.

Woywitka, 25, was one of three defensemen coming to the Blues in the August, 2005 trade that sent all-star defenseman Chris Pronger to the Edmonton Oilers.

The other two were Eric Brewer and Doug Lynch. Brewer is the only one remaining on the Blues.

Woywitka had three goals and 18 points in 65 games with the Blues last season. In 152 games with the Blues, he had six goals and 35 points.

Contact reporter Norm Sanders at nsanders@bnd.com or 239-2454.