IceDogs forward and San Jose draft pick Freddie Hamilton is currently in San Jose attending the Sharks Summer Development Camp, which is currently taking place and runs through Friday.

The Sharks say the purpose of their camp is to work on individual improvement for the players instead of competition.  They feel there is plenty of time for competition come main camp in the fall.

“Our Development Camp is very important to our organization as a whole and the future success of the Sharks,” said Sharks Head Coach Todd McLellan. “It is extremely important to the development of each individual’s career. It’s not a pressure type of environment. They are not being evaluated, they are not earning contracts. They are not making the team or being released from the team. There are a couple of ways of doing it, through repetition and through failure. Each of the kids will experience those while they are here.”

This creates more of a relaxed atmosphere for the camp, where the Sharks focus on developing individual skill and helping the prospects prepare for the future by focusing on the same things the Sharks do during the season, which also helps the prospects coming into Training Camp.

The Sharks look at the camp as an opportunity to work on the prospects growth as a player.  In some case that may mean helping a player make the next step to be ready for a professional career, while for other players it is more so about helping to lay the groundwork for the player's future growth.  Regardless, it is all about helping the prospects become a better player.

The entire IceDogs organization would like to wish Freddie all the best at the Sharks Development Camp and look forward to seeing him again soon!