Six St. Lawrence University men's hockey players will participate in National Hockey League development camps over the next few weeks, one of the largest contingents of Saints to do so in the same summer in program history.

NHL teams use the development camps to acclimatize their draft picks to how the organization works and familiarize them with other young players in the organization. The camps aren't only for draft picks, though, and the teams invite undrafted players to attend to fill out the camp rosters and to give the clubs a longer look at promising future free agents.

None of the Saints attending prospect camps are draftees. Three, Woody Hudson, who will be a junior next season, Kyle Hayton and Matt Purmal, who will be sophomores, will be in the Chicago Blackhawk prospect camp while rising junior Gavin Bayreuther will attend the Columbus Blue Jackets camp, rising sophomore Mike Marnell the New York Islander camp and Nolan Gluchowski, who will also be a sophomore next season, will attend the Toronto Maple Leaf camp.

While significant for the players in terms of exposure and experience, Saint head coach Greg Carvel also considers the opportunities significant for the Saint program.

"It is a great testament to the direction of our hockey program that we will have six players from next year's team participating in NHL Development camps over the next few weeks. These players have all worked extremely hard on their games in order to receive the opportunity to showcase themselves at the pro level. Four of these players were freshmen last year and the other two were sophomores, so these camps will also be helping our team at SLU to develop and become stronger for the future. I am very proud and excited for the entire group." Carvel said.