NHL Development Camps 2026 Recap

A Journey Around NHL Development Camps

With the NHL completing its entry draft last month, teams immediately jumped into development camps. This is where teams can gather drafted prospects and invite some additional prospects who are not affiliated with their team.

There is a wide range of goals for each club and a wide range of types of activities each team runs in order to achieve their goals.

Twitter/X Thread

Here is the thread I posted on the various 2026 development camps.

Greg Revak, CFP®@CoachRevak

2026 Development camps are going on… what are we going to see this year? Let’s see what’s going on around the NHL 👇😎🤙🏼👇 First up… Hawks decided to hit the ice after few years of only off-ice programming. Doing some time testing.

4:40 PM · Jun 29, 2026 · 51.7K Views

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3 Replies · 3 Reposts · 59 Likes

Team Video - Toronto Maple Leafs

• Multiple (2) puck stickhandling

• Multiple (3) puck passing ovals, sideways then vertical

• One puck shaving ice stop

• Pivots with puck, getting around the puck (then with partner as an oval)

• One leg skating, starts and stops

• Crossover starts with controlled shaving ice stop

• Partner stops and starts

• Mock pressure strip and find the middle for shot

• Free time

Practical Thoughts

Just because a professional organization does something doesn’t mean it is right for you and your team. Youth hockey players are often better served with different types of activities than NHL prospects.

For many players’ development, it’s important to understand the perception/action loop. I hope this prompts you to think more about what is best for your own (or your team’s) situation. Cheers!

Prior years - Analyzing NHL Development Camps

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Further Reading

• Practice Design Principles for Ice Hockey

• Coaching Strategy: When In Doubt, Add a Small-Sided Game

• Why ‘Practice Players’ Exist and How to Avoid Developing Them

• What’s more important, 1v1 or 2v2?

• Drill Ideas for Ice Hockey Practices

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