NEWARK, N.J. — Seamus Casey is aware of time within the American Hockey League is the step he must tackle the trail to an NHL profession with the New Jersey Devils.
“It is onerous to make an NHL staff and the Devils are doing an excellent job of buying guys, drafting nicely and signing guys, and it is thrilling to be part of all of it,” the 20-year-old defenseman prospect mentioned throughout New Jersey’s growth camp final month. “I simply need to do my greatest to get an opportunity to make the staff and, if not, wherever they assume is greatest for me, I am prepared.”
Casey signed his entry-level contract Could 6 after having 45 factors (seven objectives, 38 assists) in 40 video games as a sophomore on the College of Michigan. The second-round choose (No. 46) within the 2022 NHL Draft will symbolize the Devils on the Buffalo Rookie Problem from Sept. 15-19 and be a part of New Jersey in coaching camp earlier than beginning his skilled hockey profession in Utica of the AHL this season.
“A pair individuals have been asking, ‘What is the feeling like attempting to make the Devils?'” Casey mentioned. “I feel taking part in in Michigan two years, clearly you need to be the most effective you may be but it surely’s not like attempting to make a staff, since you’re on a staff. It is simply so thrilling to attempt to make a staff once more. You get these chills to step on the ice with guys and compete and attempt to win a spot and, if not, you go to the subsequent greatest place and simply do the most effective you possibly can.”
Casey led Michigan defensemen and ranked third within the NCAA on the place in factors, earned All-Large 10 First Workforce honors, was named to the Large 10 All-Match and NCAA All-Regional groups, and was a finalist for the Large 10 Defensive Participant of the Yr. He additionally was named an American Hockey Coaches Affiliation/CCM All-American.
“I had an excellent dialog with Casey (throughout growth camp) and concerning the determination to show professional,” Utica coach Kevin Dineen mentioned. “Making the leap shouldn’t be simple; I imply, he is in top-of-the-line faculties within the nation. It is pleasurable, they’re profitable on the ice and there is so many good issues that go together with his scenario in school, however on the finish of it, you have to make onerous choices to maneuver on, and he made that call.”
