New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Three Things I learned from Development Camp

Now that the camp is over, we learned a few things. This post covers what we know.

Devils prospect camp ended this past week. Let’s get into a few updates.

Cole Brown seems to be heading to Notre Dame

This is not earth-shattering news. However, with Cole Brown earning the invitation to camp there was some speculation that the winger might be signing an ELC. That doesn’t seem to be happening. Per an interview on the Devils website, Brown has been traveling to Notre Dame to meet his teammates and is, in his words, “super excited” about it.

There is still an open question as to whether the Devils will retain his rights. Brown, a 20-year-old winger, who scored 33 goals and 70 points for the Brantford Bulldogs of the OHL last season could use the added development in the NCAA. Whether he ends up in Utica in a couple of seasons fighting for a NHL role remains to be seen.

Conrad Fondrk is still injured

The Devils first pick (in the 2nd round) of this year’s NHL draft has not yet fully recovered from his injury. Per Amanda Stein:

Hopefully, Fondrk recovers in time for the season, where he will join goaltender prospect Mikhail Yegorov at Boston University.

Sigge Holmgren is healthy again

The Devils 6th final selection of the 2025 draft, defenseman Sigge Holmgren, missed all last season due to a dislocated shoulder requiring surgery. So, when the Devils drafted him, perhaps no one was more surprised than Holmgren himself. In an interview with Simon Eld for Hockey Sverige.se translated from his native language, the young defender said, laughing:

At first I thought it was someone else with the same name. I didn’t have time to think much and didn’t really understand what was happening. … I was sitting at home and was just going to put on a movie or something. I followed it a little bit now and then, mostly to see who I recognized. I knew it could happen (to get drafted), but I was more determined that it wouldn’t happen.

Per the interview, Holmgren had several aggravations to the injury before the surgery and is now 100% healed. A few teams had expressed interest to him during his missed season, but the Devils, apparently were not one of them.

Overtime

Per tradition, teams Red and White had a 3 v. 3 scrimmage, which ended in a Chase Cheslock shootout goal. Shane LaChance scored the lone goal for Team Red. Defenseman Luke Reid potted one for Team White. In the shootout, goaltender Veeti Louhivaara sealed the win for White with this save.

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