On Thursday night, the New Jersey Devils took on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Prospect Challenge. This event is taking place through the weekend in Buffalo, New York.
New Jersey beat Columbus soundly. The final score was 8-2. Although many players are going to be on the scoresheet in a win of that level, five players stood out above the rest:
Mikael Diotte
Mikael Diotte was all over the ice for New Jersey. Coming off an injury that kept him away from hockey for about ten months, he needed to come out of this game feeling strong about himself and his level of play. After the game, he seemed to be extremely thankful for his own return.
Diotte scored two goals and chipped in an assist for three points in the game. That’s not a bad way to get noticed when you’re coming back from a long time recovering.
Nathan Lecompte
Like Diotte, Lecompte had a three-point night for the Devils against the Blue Jackets. The camp invitee showed his stuff in an environment where everyone is trying to be noticed. With two goals and an assist himself, he should be feeling great following this performance.
Tag Bertuzzi
Tag Bertuzzi didn’t score one of the eight goals, but he assisted on three of them. NHL Legend Todd Bertuzzi’s son and Chicago Blackhawks star Tyler Bertuzzi’s cousin, Tag had a very good night with all of this production, and all eyes will be on the 24-year-old to see if he continues to make an impact at this event.
Shane LaChance
Shane LaChance, whom the Edmonton Oilers drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, is looking to be an impactful pro hockey player after some great work at Boston University. To get LaChance, New Jersey facilitated a trade between the Edmonton Oilers and Boston Bruins involving Trent Frederic.
In his first Prospect Challenge, the former Terrier made a name for himself. After having a goal waved off in the first period, LaChance got one back towards the end. He also scrapped with an opponent to stand up for a teammate.
This kid has the tools to be a pest with some skill. New Jersey just must continue to let him grow. This was a great start.
Seamus Casey
Seamus Casey is one of New Jersey’s top prospects, and he looked like it here. Casey, in addition to being a great defender throughout the contest, had created tons of chances throughout.
One of his chances, where he completely deked out a Columbus defender, scored for a 3-1 Devils lead. It was about as skillful a play as you’ll see in this tournament. Casey is a former second-round pick, and he played like it in this game. Expect performances like that out of him throughout camp.