panoo

Robert Picarello | NHL.com correspondent
Jun 1, 2007, 12:00 PM EDT

For one week in June, there will be no fun in the sun for two dozen Florida Panthers' prospects.

The 24 players will be attending the 2007 Development Camp from June 3-10 in Orangeville, Ontario, learning what it takes to play at the NHL level. At the camp, the top prospects will be schooled by Duane Sutter, the Panthers' director of player development, who is also a four-time Stanley Cup champion.

"The purpose of the camp is to educate the kids on the commitment it takes to be a professional hockey player," Sutter said.

Sutter will have some help, as four-time NHL All-Star and two-time Cup winner Joe Nieuwendyk will be on hand, along with goaltending coach Phil Myre, strength and conditioning coach Andy O'Brien, video coach Pierre Groulx and sports psychologist David Scott.

"Player camps like this were probably overlooked in the past by a lot of NHL teams," Sutter said. "I think it's kind of like baseball. They have development leagues and instructional leagues and minor leagues. I think it's important to develop from within.

"You can really find out a lot about kids when you're with them for seven days in that kind of environment. You can tell about their character, whether they're self-motivated or whether they need a kick in the (butt) every day."

Players like Michael Frolik, Kendall McArdle, David Booth, Drew Larman, Martin Lojek, Derrick LaPoint, Tyler Plante, Brian Foster and David Shantz will not only learn about how to get their careers to the next level, they will also undergo a fitness test and have training sessions on and off the ice.

Frolik was Florida's first-round choice in 2006 (10th overall). The Czech Republic native has been dubbed "Baby Jagr" in his homeland. Last year, in his first season of North American play, Frolik posted 73 points off 31 goals and 42 assists in 52 games for Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL.

McArdle was the Panthers' first-round choice in 2005 (20th overall). He played for the Vancouver Giants of the WHL this season, scoring a career best 19 goals and 23 assists in 63 games during the regular season. McArdle helped Vancouver win the 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup by scoring 11 goals and nine assists in 22 playoff games.

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