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Barclay Goodrow one of 15 players invited to the Red Wings 2013 Development Camp

The Detroit Red Wings have invited 15 free agents to their annual Development Camp in Traverse City beginning July 10th.

Among those auditioning are Alex Goodbranson, Kurt Etchegary, Jamien Yakubowski and Barclay Goodrow. The Red Wings, who are close to the 50 contract limit, will take a long look at the free agents but would likely need to free space or defer contracts  in order to sign players.

Following is a review of the invitees (listed alphabetically).

• Michael Babcock, Jr. – The 5-foot-9, 150 pound forward is the son of the Red Wings head coach. The speedy forward was the 68th overall pick of the Cedar Rapid Rough Riders of the USHL but spent the bulk of last season playing for Detroit Catholic high school where he lead the team with 18 goals and 42 points in 30 games. Babcock, who saw action in 5 USHL games last season, is expected to play for Cedar Rapids next season. The 18 year-old forward has committed to Merrimack University.
• Dean Chelios – The 6-foot-2, 185 pound forward sat out his last season at Michigan State University with a shoulder injury. Chelios is a physical forward who hasn’t been able to crack the 20 point mark at the college level. He’s participated in the Wings development camp the past few years, but still has one season remaining of college eligibility before he comes a free agent.
• Andrew D’Agostini – The 5-foot-10, 173 pound goaltender played his final season with Peterborough of the OHL posting a 3.24 goals against and a .911 save percentage. D’Agostini, who signed a one game tryout with Cincinnati of the ECHL at the end of last season, was named the 2012 OHL humanitarian of the year for his efforts to support Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
• Toni Eskelinen – The 6-foot-1, 181 pound netminder spent the bulk of last season with Karpat of the Finish under-20 league. In 21 games he posted a 3.05 goals against and .894 save percentage.
• Kurt Etchegary – The 5-foot-11, 185 pound center was not selected in the 2013 NHL Entry draft likely due to multiple injuries last season. Etchegary, who was limited to just 31 games last season with Quebec of the QMJHL, had two arthroscopic surgeries to repair his hip joints. The St. John’s Newfoundland product is described as a hardworking two-way forward who isn’t afraid of physical play. Etchegary has a quick wrist shot and is strong in the faceoff circle.
• Barclay Goodrow – The 6-foot-2, 214 pound forward played four seasons with Brampton of the OHL. The Toronto Ontario native was eligible for the last three drafts but went unselected. Despite that, the big forward has drawn plenty of interest from pro teams attending three development camps the last two years (Carolina / 2011, Los Angelos / 2012, New York Rangers / 2012). Goodrow, who plays a power forward style, has decent numbers – posting 52 points in the last two season with Brampton – but scouts have knocked his skating and lack of foot speed. The former captain of the Battalion signed an amateur try-out contract with the Connecticut Whale last season but did not see any action.
• Alex Gudbranson – The 6-foot-2, 204 pound defenseman is the brother of Erik Gudbranson who plays for the Florida Panthers. Alex, who despite being rated 167th among North American skaters by the CSB heading into the 2012 NHL draft, has never been drafted. The former 10th overall selection in the 2010 OHL priority draft spent his first two seasons with Kingston before being traded to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for three draft picks. Gudbranson is a raw physical stay at home defenseman who needs to work on his skating and decision making.
• Trevor Hamilton – The 6-foot, 186 pound defenseman played the last two season the U.S. development team. The Gross Pointe Farms, Michigan native has committed to the University of Miami of Ohio beginning in 2014. Hamilton, who was passed over in the 2013 NHL entry draft, may see time with the Fargo Force of the USHL after being selected in the 16th round. He is a puck moving defenseman who likes to play with an edge and is still rounding out his defensive game.
• Ty Loney – The 6-foot-3, 195 pound forward played the last two season with the University of Denver. Loney, who is the son of two time Stanley Cup Champion Troy Loney, was passed over in the last two drafts despite some interest from NHL teams. The Valencia, PA native is a two-way forward with some offensive talent but it has translated into numbers at the college level yet. Loney still has two years of college eligibility remaining so his participation in this years camp is likely for the experience.
• Jake Patterson – Not to be confused with the Red Wings draft pick Jake Paterson, The 6-foot-1, 191 pound netminder has spent the past two seasons with London of the OHL. The 19 year-old only saw 6 OHL games in 2012 due to a lengthy battle with mononucleosis. In 32 games last season, Patterson posted a 2.61 goals against and .913 save percentage. The Sault Ste. Marie native, who was rated the 20th best North American goaltender in the 2013 CSB final rankings, went unselected in the past two drafts.
• Dominik Shine – The 5-foot-10, 166 pound forward spent the past four season with Lincoln of the USHL. The 20 year-old has committed to play for Northern Michigan University starting this fall. The undersized forward posted 26 goals and 45 points in 50 games last season. Shine, who has been eligible for the draft since 2011, is described as a playmaking forward with offensive instincts. The Pinckney, MI native is a good skater but lacks initial explosiveness and foot speed.
• Brody Silk – The 6-foot, 185 pound center spent the last three seasons playing for Sudbury of the OHL. Silk, who plays a physical game, has suffered a series of injuries that have limited his playing time the past three seasons. Coming off a shoulder injury, the 18 year-old had hoped to hear his name called at the 2013 NHL draft even though CSB only had him rated as the 161st among North American skaters. Silk is a physical forward who’s 19 fights in the last three OHL seasons prove he is a willing combatant.
• Ildar Telykov – The 6-foot-9, 216 pound defenseman played 46 games for HC VMF of the VHL. The 22 year-old defenseman provided little offensive spark being held scoreless on the season and notching just 5 assists while maintaining a +9 rating. Little is known about Telykov, but he will have to prove he can bring more to the table than just impressive size if he hopes to get a long look from the Red Wings.
• Dane Walters – The 6-foot, 198 pound forward finished his college career with Western Michigan. Walters, who signed an amateur try-out contract with the Worchester Sharks of the AHL at the end of last season, capped off his college career by being named the CCHA’s Best Defensive Forward. The former Bronco’s assistant captain was held pointless in three games with the Sharks.
• Jamien Yakubowski – The 5-foot-10, 202 pound winger has spent the past two seasons with Lethbridge of the WHL. Despite his small stature, Yakubowski loves to play physical and is known for his punishing open ice hits.  The irritating forward has proven he can score, piling up 32 goals and 50 points in 66 games last season. The January 2013 Red Line Report described Yakubowski this way: “He’s far more than just a shooter. Being a major irritant is the only way Yakubowski knows how to play, and he’s always a willing combatant ready to drop the gloves with anyone, at any time. He came to camp this year having added an extra 20 pounds of solid muscle, and now he just blows men up with heavy open ice hits and dominates in traffic.” Despite the rave review, the 19 year-old forward was passed over in the NHL entry draft for the second year in a row.