CHICAGO, (CO) - The Hawks will hold there annual rookie camp this weekend. Invited to the camp are all 16 players take in the 2004 entry draft, plus a bunch of other prospects. Including Brent Seabrook and Anton Babchuk. But most interest will the #1 pick of the 2004 entry draft Alexander Ovechkin draw.
Most of the prospects attending the camp, are just there to get a feel of the Hawks and get to know some of there future teammates. But some of the players will most likley also be around when the real traning camp starts. The already mentioned Ovechkin, Babchuk and Seabrook are all very interesting names that all could play there way into the Hawks team. The 20 year old Anton Babchuk (#21 overall in 2002), is the player GM Mathias Vaigur say could end up being a regular this season.
"Anton is a future top defender. He is big and he has a great slapshot. He is not afraid to use his weight and he is very good in his own end of the ice. We plan to sign him and have him test the OTHL waters this season." - Vaigur said about the 6'5 defender from the Ukraine.
But Mathias Vaigur also admited that he was very curious on how Ovechkin will play during the prospect camp. "There is a massive hype around Ovechkin, and there is no doubt he will be a great hockey player. He is already a very solid player and he is just 18. Without putting to much pressure on him, I would say he is ready for the OTHL. Its going to be very interesting to see him at the prospect camp, and then at the traning camp a bit later."
The Camp will start tomorrow with some conditioning tests, and then some on ice drills.