Leafs prospects hit the ice

The Toronto Maple Leafs are now half-way through their top prospects’ training camp in Etobicoke. 29 players in total were invited, including first-rounder William Nylander.

For many of these young men, this is their first opportunity to train as a professional. But not for Waterdown native, and Niagara Icedog, Carter Verhaeghe. He was here last year, shortly after he was drafted. This time around, he says the competition is even tougher: “It’s real intense. It’s a real step up from the OHL. So, definitely a lot different. You get better just being around guys like this and being around other prospects so it’s nice.

All six of the Leafs 2014 draft picks are here. Not only for the on ice workouts but to learn about nutrition, conditioning and how to deal with the media.

William Nylander: “We had a media seminar so we’re trying to learn from that today. (any good tips?) Yes, just be nice to you guys and throw some jokes out there.”

Leafs’ President Brendan Shanahan was on hand to assess the development of his future stars, and field questions about the team’s three free agent signings last week: “it was strategic, it was disciplined. We’re sitting here now a week later where we have some players at the right numbers, with the proper fit and a lot of cap space if we want to do something going forward. We want our young players, some of the guys that are out here at this camp, some of the guys that finished the year with the Marlies to have job opportunities.”

William Nylander: “It’s something that you like to hear. It feels really good to hear that. You know that they’re watching everything you do so you got to be ready to give it your all everytime you’re on the ice and in everything you do.”