Development Camp Three Stars

With a scrimmage that came down to a shootout, Development Camp '08 just ended in front of a standing room only crowd at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Over the past six days, several players stood out. Some for good reasons. Others, well, for not-so-good reasons.

I took an informal poll of coaches and media types and put together a 'Three Stars of Week.' Here's what we came up with:

First star: D Karl Alzner. Not much flash, but plenty of substance. As expected, the 2007 first round draft pick was the smoothest (and most NHL-ready) player on the ice. If you missed him this week, don't worry, you'll see plenty of Karl in Washington next winter.

Second star: F Jake Hauswirth. If you're asking, "Who?", don't feel bad. Thirty NHL teams took a pass on him in this summer's draft. A camp invitee, the 6 foot 4 native of Wisconsin (and Michigan Tech recruit) wowed coaches with his knack for scoring (he notched at least one goal in each scrimmage).

Third star: Oskar Osala. A 6 foot 4 power forward with quick feet, the big Finn quickly showed that he's ready to assume a major role in Hershey next season. Who knows? We might even see him as an injury call-up in Washington at some point.

Also receiving votes (in order): F Andrew Gordon, G Simeon Varlamov, F Mathieu Perrault, F Maxime Lacroix, F Phil DeSimone, D Victor Bartley.