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Devereaux scores winner Team A defeats Team B as Hudler arrives at camp ... Boyd Devereaux scored the overtime winner as Team A edged Team B 3-2 at the Detroit Red Wings’ training camp in Traverse City, Mich., on Sunday. Mikael Samuelsson and Dan Cleary scored the other goals for Team A, while Evan McGrath and free agent Andrew Martin replied for Team B. Goaltender Jimmy Howard suffered a slight groin injury and couldn’t play, so free agent Dominic Vicari — originally slated as a third-stringer for Team C — slid over and split the goaltending duties for Team A. Joey MacDonald stopped 18 of 20 shots, while Vicari saved all 14 he faced. Team A will play Team C for gold on Monday. Jiri Hudler finally arrived at camp on Sunday after two days of travel and visa problems, including two stopovers in London and Chicago. He participated in drills for Team A and dressed for the intra-squad game. “I had some problems with paperwork, but now it’s all good,” said Hudler. “Now, I finally made it here and I’m ready to go.” Hudler, a 5-foot-9 center who has a chance to win a spot on a scoring line with the Red Wings, acknowledged how important camp is to his future and said he has worked hard on and off the ice this summer. Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said he’ll watch Hudler closely during the exhibition season to determine if he’s ready for a job. In particular, he plans to evaluate how the crafty pivot plays in his own zone. “He’s never going to make it in the NHL as a defensive player,” said Babcock. “He’s going to play because he’s got skill, but he can’t be a liability. He’s got to be good enough that he can’t hurt our team.” Hudler set the American Hockey League on fire last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins. He finished third in the scoring race with 36 goals and 60 assists for 96 points in 76 games, plus 22 points in 16 playoff games. He has just three points in 16 career games with Detroit. “His biggest thing is he’s not a great skater so he’s got to be able to get through the neutral zone so that he can make plays,” said Babcock. “That’s going to be the challenge for him.” Hudler hopes the rule changes help his cause. “A lot of smaller players in the NHL showed up with big goals and big plays, so we’ll see,” said the 22-year-old. Free-agent signing Brad Norton, who plays both forward and defense, is getting a look. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound swingman is particularly enticing up front, where the Wings want to add size. “He’s a huge man,” commented Babcock. “Having somebody to keep the flies off of us is a good thing.” Reid Jorgenson, Ryan Keller, and Ryan Oulahen all remained off the ice nursing various injuries. Mathieu Schneider was taken off the ice in a precautionary move after suffering a mild shoulder injury. Jonathan Ericsson, a 22-year-old prospect who came over from Sweden this summer, played both defense and forward for Team C. The 6-foot-5, 196-pounder looked comfortable in both roles. Winger Darryl Bootland is in contention for a roster spot, but needs to play his best hockey to nail one down. He played 22 games with Detroit in 2003-04 — picking up two points and 74 penalty minutes — but hasn’t been back. He is coming off a career year in Grand Rapids, where he piled up 27 goals among 56 points and 390 penalty minutes in 77 games. “Booter’s young and he’s up-and-coming,” said Babcock. “It’s going to be a battle for him. He’s going to have to have a great exhibition (season).” Bootland is battling for a job in Detroit with a group that includes Norton, Hudler, Valtteri Filppula and Tomas Kopecky. The Red Wings will start Chris Osgood against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Off-season free-agent signing Dominik Hasek will get the nod against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. Sarah Lindenau will provide daily on-site coverage of the Detroit Red Wings annual prospects tournament from Traverse City, Mich. |
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