NHL.com Coverage
TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) incoming freshman Patrick Koudys has been selected to participate in the National Hockey League's Research, Development & Orientation Camp, which is currently ongoing at the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility. Koudys, a defenseman, is one of nine collegians and 33 overall who were selected for the prestigious event.
The purpose of the NHL's Research & Development Camp is to have the group of skaters and goaltenders – which includes the top-rated players eligible for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft – to test various potential rule changes, rink modifications and strategic innovations. The camp is comprised of four on-ice sessions over two days (August 18-19).
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Patrick, who has the hockey intelligence, skill level and work ethic to become an elite defenseman, to compete against the best prospects in North America,” said Rensselaer head coach
Seth Appert. “It is also excellent preparation for him for his freshman season and the 2011 NHL Draft.”
Koudys (pronounced cow-DICE), a native of Hamilton, Ont., joins RPI after playing for the Burlington Cougars in the Ontario Junior 'A' Hockey League. Last season the left-shot defenseman played 50 games, scoring five goals with 28 assists for 33 points. He also had 42 penalty minutes. Koudys, who is 6-4, 190 pounds, was the OHA's Top Prospect, Burlington's Rookie of the Year and Top Defenseman.
In addition to Rensselaer, other future collegiate student-athletes have committed to attend schools such as the Boston University, Denver, Michigan, Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
In all, 20 forwards, 12 defensemen and three goaltenders were picked for the camp. They will be led on the ice by veteran coaches Ken Hitchcock and Dave King. The camp itself is being run by Brendan Shanahan, the NHL's Vice President Hockey and Business Development.
Highlights from the NHL's Research & Development Camp will be available on the NHL Network beginning at 10:30pm on both August 18 and August 19.
