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Newest Jackets' journeys from Draft to development camp underway
"Columbus Blue Jackets are proud to select, from University of Michigan, Zach Werenski."
Those words from the stage of the 2015 NHL Draft serve as the launching pad for a young hockey player's professional career. They also mark the beginning of a crazy 48-72 hours focused on welcoming the newest Blue Jackets into the organization and getting them to their first experience with the team-- Development Camp.
For Zach Werenski, and the eight other players selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets -- three of which were in Sunrise for the Draft -- getting selected is a lot more than hearing your name, a new team jersey, and an interview or two.
In the moments after being selected, a newly drafted player walks to his NHL team's table on the Draft floor to receive congratulations and then is off to the media â interviews with team outlets, NHL radio, and questions in a media scrum that fly fast and furious.
Then there is more to do-- a photo session, and signing team and NHL memorabilia.
After all the photo and media requests are fulfilled -- which can take a couple hours -- a player and his family and friends are welcomed into the team's suite at BB&T Arena where they can finally grab some food and drink and relax.
It's a gauntlet. And not just for the player - the Blue Jackets, are hard at work too. According to Jackets development coach, Chris Clark, this is the first time the Jackets are holding their development camp immediately following the NHL Draft.
While Prospects that were already part of the Jackets organization and camp invites are already scheduled to arrive in Columbus by Sunday morning, this year's draft class presented the challenge of getting perhaps nine more players -- including four not in North America -- to Columbus before camp begins Monday.
While in the suite, players get to meet Clark, who will serve as their main point of contact throughout their development, and together they start to figure out the logistics of getting each of the players to their first official Jackets camp.
"We'll meet and greet and then give them the itinerary," Clark said. "Their parents will have a lot of questions, and that's what I'm there for to settle it down a little bit."
The Jackets have a team of people who help sort out all the details including travel, immigration and even getting a player his equipment. For players who didn't attend the draft â all of this planning occurs via phone.
Clark says most North American players don't come to the Draft with their gear and they may fly home before camp to get it, or have it shipped to them. Most European players who attend the Draft do bring everything they need to play since they know teams have development camps soon after they select their players. Jackets first-round pick Gabriel Carlsson from Sweden confirmed he did bring his skates with him while Minnesotan Paul Bittner, selected 38th overall, said he was headed back home to get his gear before heading to Columbus.
It's a whirlwind of events, but as crazy as it is, it's an exciting time for the players, and the team.
"I think today is one of the longest days I've ever been through," Bittner said. "Just thinking about it and waiting for it and finally it's here and it feels like it's going by quick now â it's a relief, I haven't stopped smiling."
And for Clark, who works to build one-on-one relationships with each of the players developing within the organization, experiencing the Draft with them is special for him too.
"I want them to enjoy everything about it and soak it in," Clark said. "It's basically a reward for the first 18 years or however long they've been playing. It's obviously exciting for them to get drafted and it's exciting for me to have nine new faces and people to get to know."
Columbus Blue Jackets development camp starts Monday, Jun 29. The full schedule and rosters can be found HERE.
