Hi from the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, where the opening day of development camp is set to begin at 9 a.m. I'll have live updates below, to be read from the bottom up.
► FOLLOW ALONG
• By the way, don't expect much "analysis" today. It's mainly testing and some skills drills and half of it's not open to the media or the public because of the cameras they're using to measure getting messed up by any movement in the stands.
• This year's fifth-round pick Ryan Miller just tried to leave the facility after his session and got mobbed by about 20 seven-year-old kids asking if he was a Penguin.
• Eddie Johnston is here watching camp and talking with staff.
• Nick Bonino will meet with the media later today.
• Chatted with Emil Pieniniemi, he's definitely going to be pro in the Penguins' system next season. He was drafted out of Finland, so he was AHL-eligible whenever. He opted to go to the OHL next season to gain North American experience. Next step is the AHL.
• Melvin Fernstrom says he will return to Sweden next season. That was expected.
• Cool: Robert Morris alum and former PWHL and CWHL forward Brittany Howard is one of several guest coaches here for camp. She was head coach of the 16U and 19U Penguins Elite women's teams last year.
TAYLOR HAASE / DKPS
Brittany Howard speaks to the Penguins' prospects in Cranberry, Pa.
• Heads up to any fans here or coming: They're doing speed testing on the main rink using some kind of camera in the measurement process, and if there's any additional movement in the stands it screws it up. So fans and media can't be in there today. But the skills/conditioning stuff on the second rink is open. Main rink will be open other days this week.
• Full skater sessions about to begin. Quinn Beauchesne wins the award for being first on the ice.
• Note that Mikhail Ilyin may not skate today. Travel delays getting here from Russia, might not be here yet.
• Here are the teams for development camp, with Joona Vaisanen, Harrison Brunicke and Daniel Laatsch serving as captains:
• The injured Luke Devlin, Zam Plante and Max Graham are all skating before the first session. None of them look visibly limited in this setting. Tanner Howe isn't skating, which makes sense given that his injury is his knee and he's not supposed to be back until January.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
12:38 pm - 07.03.2025Cranberry, Pa.Final: Development camp, Day 1
Hi from the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, where the opening day of development camp is set to begin at 9 a.m. I'll have live updates below, to be read from the bottom up.
► FOLLOW ALONG
• By the way, don't expect much "analysis" today. It's mainly testing and some skills drills and half of it's not open to the media or the public because of the cameras they're using to measure getting messed up by any movement in the stands.
• This year's fifth-round pick Ryan Miller just tried to leave the facility after his session and got mobbed by about 20 seven-year-old kids asking if he was a Penguin.
• Eddie Johnston is here watching camp and talking with staff.
• Nick Bonino will meet with the media later today.
• Chatted with Emil Pieniniemi, he's definitely going to be pro in the Penguins' system next season. He was drafted out of Finland, so he was AHL-eligible whenever. He opted to go to the OHL next season to gain North American experience. Next step is the AHL.
• Melvin Fernstrom says he will return to Sweden next season. That was expected.
• Cool: Robert Morris alum and former PWHL and CWHL forward Brittany Howard is one of several guest coaches here for camp. She was head coach of the 16U and 19U Penguins Elite women's teams last year.
TAYLOR HAASE / DKPS
Brittany Howard speaks to the Penguins' prospects in Cranberry, Pa.
• Heads up to any fans here or coming: They're doing speed testing on the main rink using some kind of camera in the measurement process, and if there's any additional movement in the stands it screws it up. So fans and media can't be in there today. But the skills/conditioning stuff on the second rink is open. Main rink will be open other days this week.
• Full skater sessions about to begin. Quinn Beauchesne wins the award for being first on the ice.
• Note that Mikhail Ilyin may not skate today. Travel delays getting here from Russia, might not be here yet.
• Here are the teams for development camp, with Joona Vaisanen, Harrison Brunicke and Daniel Laatsch serving as captains:
• The injured Luke Devlin, Zam Plante and Max Graham are all skating before the first session. None of them look visibly limited in this setting. Tanner Howe isn't skating, which makes sense given that his injury is his knee and he's not supposed to be back until January.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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