The Brothers Saponari

Both incoming freshman Vinny Saponari (photo) and his older brother, sophomore Victor Saponari, attended this past week’s Thrasher’s Prospect Camp in Duluth, Georgia. Vinny, fifth leading scorer for the NTDP U18s last season, has drawn considerable attention as the first native of Georgia to be drafted, which he discussed on local TV and in a Thrashers.com feature.

Victor’s role as the less-heralded sibling was addressed on the Thrashers' official blog.

Speaking of brothers, big brother Vic Saponari is thrilled to be at prospect camp and is soaking in all of the advice. He sees this as a step above a college camp and he plans to take it all in and be a better player for it when he gets back to Boston University where he'll be playing with younger brother Vinny. Vic didn't find out Vinny got drafted until his little brother called him. He was too nervous for his brother to watch or listen to the draft.

Is he proud of his brother? Of course. Does he begrudge him any
of the success? Nope. "Besides, he learned everything from me" laughed Vic. NCAA rules prohibit the Saponaris from accepting a hotel room from the Thrashers so they're staying with family
friends- the Kamals [note: Dan Kamal is the play-by-play announcer for Atlanta].

Thanks to YouTube, we have a clip of Vinny during a series of drills. He’s the second shooter in this clip, #54. The other player, #57, is Angelo Esposito, who BU recruited before he chose Major Junior hockey in Quebec.




The brothers previously were teammates at Culver Military Academy in Indiana.

In other NHL development camp news:
Pete MacArthur, in Blackhawks camp with Boomer Ewing, put up points when it counted most. He scored the game-winner in a scrimmage game last Wednesday and assisted on the game-winner the next day.

Incoming freshman forward Andrew Glass, attending his second Capitals development camp, was interviewed (video) about the differences from last year's experience and the strengths of his game. The 5-11, 180 left wing, a first team All-Prep East performer last season who netted with 27 goals for Nobles, was Washington's seventh round choice in the 2007 draft.

mlive.com reports on Max Nicastro's on ice activities at Red Wings camp:

Red Wings draft pick Max Nicastro doesn't look out of place as he participates in his first professional prospect camp this week as a member of the Detroit Red Wings. He's confident, poised, and he keeps his game simple, and that's quite a bit to say about an 18- year-old who's just under three weeks removed from his draft date.

The Hockey News' latest "Hot List, " its weekly rundown of players "we can’t wait to see in the NHL one day," features both Colin Wilson, still making his decision about which sweater to wear next season, and incoming freshman Corey Trivino. The Islanders' second round draft choice last month, Trivino begins Isles development camp on Monday and will try out for Canada's Junior National team later this summer.