Friday, July 03, 2026

News from the development camps, trades and free agency; early 2027 draft rankings and a tease

      

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From the Development Camps 

● NHL.com Interview with Bruins Prospect Jonathan Morello

► A frank interview with Jack Murtagh at Flyers' camp about his first year at BU, what he needs to improve on and the return of an NTDP teammate: 

    

► Ben Merrill connects at Montreal Development Camp, skating on a line with 2027 recruit Braidy Wassilyn. 

● TribLive Penguins defenseman prospect Charlie Trethewey ready for 2nd year at Boston University

 “The guys are a lot older, stronger, bigger than juniors, more physical, so it’s getting used to that. And the pace of play is a lot faster, too, than juniors,” the 6-foot-1 defenseman said. “Especially now with the (Canadian Hockey League) rule changing, you have all the guys from the (CHL) coming in. The NCAA is better than ever now because of that rule. It’s awesome to play against those guys"

Ahead of his sophomore season at BU, Trethewey is placing an added focus on spending time in the film room, being better with his stick and “fine-tuning the little stuff.” 

● WGNRadio.com at Development Camp Notebook: First impressions of Xavier Villeneuve   

His highlight reel will impress you, and he was just as entertaining to watch during development camp practices.

(Chicago GM) Davidson said Villeneuve won him over during their in-person interview at the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, and it’s easy to see why. He’s got infectious energy, supreme confidence that’s balanced with humility, and he’s a true hockey junkie. His biggest inspiration growing up? Blackhawks legend Duncan Keith.

“Everything,” Villeneuve said when asked what he likes about Keith. “What he did on the ice, what was his average time on ice when he was in playoffs? Probably 30 minutes, above 30 minutes? Just a horse on the ice. He could do it all. He’s really the guy that made me fall in love with the position of defenseman. It’s awesome I’ll be here and hopefully do a little bit of what he did.”

● amerks.com McCarthy Growing in Second Appearance at Sabres Development Camp 

Looking ahead

With the NHL Entry Draft in the rear-view mirror, rankings for the 2027 draft are emerging. The Daily Faceoff’s early rankings feature three Terrier recruits: #5 Carter Meyer; #27 Jamie Glance; and #29 James Scantlebury.

Meyer had a standout season in the NTDP, beginning with the U17, then being promoted to the U18s. He had a combined 70 points (29G,41A). The son of Terrier All-American Freddy Meyer, Carter is seeking to leave the NTDP and join his older brother, Freddy Meyer V, on the Quebec Remparts.

"Meyer was one of USA’s top players this past year… at the U-18 level. He earned a call-up from the U-17 squad in the second half and never looked back. He’s a smart, hard-working forward who plays a reliable two-way game while hitting everyone in sight. He’s not even that big – he’s just strong and willing to throw his body at everyone."

Glance, a right wing with a wicked shot, led the NTDP U18s in scoring with a 23-33-56 line. He’ll play one more season of junior before arriving on Commonwealth Ave. His QJMHL rights are held by St. John’s while Green Bay holds his USHL rights.

"Glance plays a highly detailed game – a lot of what he does well doesn’t get rewarded on the scoresheet. He forces giveaways, does a good job of chasing after attackers, and draws penalties as well as anyone on the USNTDP this past year. It just feels like every time I zeroed in on Glance, he made something happen."

Scantlebury, a 5-⭐️ recruit like Meyer, put up 39 points for the Chicago Steel, earning a spot on the USHL all-rookie team. The Montreal native is headed to QMJHL Quebec for his draft season.

"Scantlebury was drafted ninth overall by the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts, but he elected to sign with the USHL’s Steel instead last year. Now, he’s set to join Quebec, where he’ll look to be the top prospect taken out of the Q. Scantlebury moves well and has some of the best playmaking in the 2027 draft class. Scouts wish he’d simplify his game at points – he can use his linemates a bit more. But in terms of pure, raw talent, Scantlebury is as good as they come right now."

Keep your fingers crossed on this one, BU fans.

Looking back 

The Devils' new GM Sunny Mehta, formerly the Panthers AGM, on the acquisition of Evan Rodrigues in a recent trade for goalie Jacob Markstrom.   

"(Acquiring Rodrigues in the trade) was a key piece for me," Mehta said. "Evan is one of those guys who, to some extent, has kind of been underrated his entire career. In a lot of ways, this is sort of the next logical step in his career, where he's been an important cog in this machine down in Florida and now he's going to come here as one of our leaders."

Rodrigues said: “I think my leadership and the experience and the work ethic (are things Mehta appreciated in my game). I think we both know playing against (New Jersey) that they have a ton of talent, a ton of speed, and are very dangerous. The have big defensemen who are hard to play against who can be in your face. At the end of the day, it's a long season and you have to find ways to recover properly, and do all the right things.”

Domenick Fensore has signed a one-year free agent contract with Colorado. The former Terrier captain, originally a Carolina draft pick, is coming off a career season with AHL Chicago, putting up 35 points and earning a spot in the AHL All-Star game. He also made his NHL debut with the Hurricanes.

In 122 games as a Terrier, he scored 86 points and was a First Team Hockey East All-Star as a senior. 

  

Wilmer Skoog has signed a one-year,two-way contract with Detroit, following three seasons in the Florida Panthers’ system. In 182 regular-season games with the Charlotte Checkers, the 26-year-old posted 49 goals and 43 assists, with another eight points in 24 postseason games

A four-year Terrier, Skoog was key cog in the offense in his last two seasons, putting up 61 points (31G,30A), including four tallies on his trademark lacrosse goals.  

 

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