The good times will keep on rolling for a select few prospects invited to the Columbus Blue Jackets’ rookie camp. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic relays that the team is planning to invite three to five non-roster, rookie camp invitees back to their training camp when it begins this week. The team’s hockey operations department will make decisions on who those few players will be on the bus ride home from the Buffalo Sabres’ Prospects Challenge.
Columbus’ rookie camp roster contained 10 invitees who weren’t previously drafted by the team. The list is led by high-impact collegiate prospects, including Wisconsin Badgers forward Rylan Mosley and Denver Pioneers defenseman Boston Buckberger. Mosley scored at a point-per-game pace through 37 games last season, while offering the prerequisite two-way, physical play required in a Mike Hastings lineup. Buckberger was equally as impactful for his squad, netting 30 points in 41 games while serving as the downhill punch behind the Pioneers’ star defenders. Both players could reasonably carve out low-grade, pro roles as soon as next season. Columbus also invited Michigan forward Joshua Eernisse, Michigan Tech forward Isaac Gordon, and Union forward Tom Richter, who achieved varying levels of college success last season.
The Blue Jackets also invited former scout’s favorite Pano Fimis, who went unselected through eligibility in the 2023, 2024, and 2025 drafts. Fimis was a focal point of the Erie Otters’ offense over the last two seasons, and managed encouraging results – including 32 goals and 86 points in 68 games this season. But he could never prove dynamic enough away from the puck to wow NHL scouts. His rookie camp showings couldn’t be categorized as disappointing, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see Columbus gauge the 21-year-old’s AHL-readiness after scoring 253 points in 245 games and five seasons in the OHL. Fimis was the second-overall pick in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft and is currently committed to attend the University of Notre Dame next season.
Seems like a pretty solid idea to test some late bloomers to hopefully find a gem. I think around 2/3s of the NFL is made up of undrafted players. I don’t understand why every team in every sport doesn’t do the sort of thing Columbus is doing.
67% of NFL players are not undrafted. The number sits in the 30% range. NHL? 10-15%.
Hockey, And Football are apple’s, And oranges, But, Thank you Mr. Science.
2/3 was a typo on my part. Still, 1/3 of a 53 man roster is around 16 players, and 15% of a 23 man roster is 3-4 players. Seems like a smart move to find these cheap players for depth roles wherever and whenever you can find them.
Agreed. Always be looking for depth pieces and/or a diamond in the rough.
Boston Buckberger shouldve played at BU
And open a hamburger joint that specializes in deer meat.