RDO CAMP OPENS TODAY

The top draft eligible players for the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft will be put in the spotlight beginning today when the NHL's Research, Development, and Orientation camp begins in Etobicoke, Ont.

“The purpose of the camp is for team officials to get a look at possible rules changes -- with the extra benefit that 33 of the top 2011 Draft-eligible prospects will show off their skills while bringing those changes to life,” writes Adam Kimelman of NHL.com.

For the full list of rules that are being tried out, click HERE.

“The format of the camp provides a unique opportunity for talent evaluators. Limited to 2011 draft-eligible players, the scrimmages will provide a rare chance to compare these players only with one another – no older players or lesser talents to complicate judgments,” writes John Dellapina of NHL.com. “The introduction of so many new rules will force these players to adapt and think as much as perform, revealing key facets of their games -- and they're going to have to do it all under the watchful eye of scouts, GMs and even media members who could have an impact on their draft position.”

The NHL hopes to find a way to achieve greater flow in the game while reducing the number of stoppages, closely examine the icing rule to determine what, if any, changes might be suitable to the NHL game, find ways to improve the fairness and integrity of face-offs, and reduce coaches' ability to influence games through line changes.

The camp runs from August 18-19 at the Toronto Maple Leafs practice facility.

Four Saint John Sea Dogs were invited to attend the unique camp: defenceman Nathan Beaulieu and forwards Jonathan Huberdeau, Tomas Jurco, and Zach Phillips.

"It's a great honor, coming off the World Juniors camp," Beaulieu told NHL.com. "My summer has been busy so it's another thing to prepare for. This camp is right before my season starts so it's a good way to go into the season and I'm very honored to be picked."

"He's got all the tools, good skater," said Central Scouting’s Quebec scout Chris Bordeleau of Beaulieu. "He was really noticeable last year taking the puck, even though he wasn't playing that much."

Although Jurco was invited to attend, a Sea Dogs press release says that he is staying in Slovakia for education purposes until September.

The full roster can be seen below:

FORWARDS
Seth Ambroz, Omaha (USHL), David Broll, Erie (OHL), Daniel Catenacci, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL), Sean Couturier, Drummondville (QMJHL), Michael Curtis, Belleville (OHL), Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John (QMJHL), Philippe Hudon, Choate (HIGH-CT), Boone Jenner, Oshawa (OHL), *John Kurtz, Sudbury (OHL), Gabriel Landeskog, Kitchener (OHL), Adam Lowry, Swift Current (WHL), Shane McColgan, Kelowna (WHL), Garrett Meurs, Plymouth (OHL), Matthew Nieto, Boston University (H-East), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Red Deer (WHL), Zack Phillips, Saint John (QMJHL), Alan Quine, Kingston (OHL), Ty Rattie, Portland (WHL), Nick Shore, Denver (WCHA), *Zack Torquato, Erie (OHL).

DEFENSEMEN
Nathan Beaulieu, Saint John (QMJHL), Gabriel Beaupre, Val d'Or (QMJHL), Myles Bell, Regina (WHL), Adam Clendening, Boston University (H-East), Dougie Hamilton, Niagara (OHL), Scott Harrington, London (OHL), Patrick Koudys, RPI (ECAC), Keegan Lowe, Edmonton (WHL), Scott Mayfield, Youngstown (USHL), Ryan Murphy, Kitchener (OHL), Xavier Ouellet, Montreal (QMJHL), Robbie Russo, U.S. U-18 (USHL).

GOALIES
John Gibson, U.S. U-18 (USHL), Mike Morrison, Kitchener (OHL), Tyson Teichmann, Belleville (OHL).

*- ineligible for 2011 Entry Draft