RDO camp gives teams early look at 2012 prospects

Belleville Bulls goaltender Malcolm Subban got a preview of the 2012 NHL Scouting Combine by making a short visit to the Toronto hotel that hosts the annual event.

While he didn't meet any NHL scouts or general managers during that trip last month, he'll certainly get a chance to see them at the NHL's Research, Development and Orientation Camp, to be held Aug. 16-17 at the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence in Etobicoke, Ont.

Thirty-six of the top prospects available for the 2012 Entry Draft were invited to the camp. Subban is one of four goaltenders that will be participating; also attending will be Daniel Altshuller, who plays for the Nepean Raiders of the Central Canadian Hockey League, Chris Driedger of the Calgary Hitmen and Collin Olsen of the U.S. National Team Development Program.

Of that foursome, Subban is likely the most familiar to NHL fans -- his older brother, P.K. Subban, is a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens.

And while P.K. lasted until the second round of the 2007 Entry Draft, there's a chance Malcolm could hear his name called in the first round.

In his first season in the Ontario Hockey League, Subban went 10-17-2 with a 3.16 goals-against average and .900 save percentage. He also was the only 2012 draft-eligible goaltender invited to Hockey Canada's summer under-20 goaltending camp, where he got to perform for scouts who will pick Canada's 2012 world junior championship team.

Subban wasn't invited to the August summer evaluation camp in Edmonton, but a strong start to the season could put him back in the running for consideration for the national junior team. However, he's got other big plans for August.

After the RDO camp, which will allow him to show 30 NHL teams just what he can do, he'll have training camp for his second season in Belleville, and a year dealing with the pressure that comes with a top prospect's draft season. Subban said he's already gotten advice from his older borther about how to handle the rigors ahead.

"He knows all the scouts are going to be there every game to watch you, there's always going to be guys watching you, so you have to act professional," Subban said. "You always have to come to play and be prepared. Can't let your guard down."

Joining Subban at the camp will be Belleville teammate Brendan Gaunce. He is another player who will be getting some brotherly advice heading into his draft season -- Cameron Guance was a 2008 second-round pick of the Colorado Avalanche.

Other familiar names attending the camp include Kingston Frontenacs defenseman Alex Gudbranson, younger brother of Florida Panthers defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who was the third pick of the 2010 Entry Draft. Sarnia Sting forward Alex Galchenyuk's father, Alexander, spent 1992-98 playing for the Milwaukee Admirals and Michigan K-Wings of the International Hockey League during part of a pro career that lasted from 1985 to 2007 and included stops in Russia, Belarus, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. It was during Alexander's time in Milwaukee that Alex was born.

Galchenyuk isn't the only player of European heritage that will be at the camp. His Sarnia teammate, Nail Yakupov, is Russian. Yakupov (101 points) and Galchenyuk (83) led all first-year OHL players in scoring last season. Halifax Mooseheads left wing Martin Frk is from the Czech Republic, and Dubuque Fighting Saints center Zemgus Girgensons is from Latvia.

Of the players at the camp, 28 play for Canadian teams, while eight play in the U.S., including four from the U.S. National Team Development Program.

The players, who will help the NHL look at potential rules changes and innovations to the game, will be coached by the last two Jack Adams Award winners -- Dan Bylsma of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Contact Adam Kimelman at akimelman@nhl.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK