Mankato, Minn. --- As the National Hockey League season roars to a close with the conclusion of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, several members of the Minnesota State men's hockey program have received invitations to participate in NHL developmental camps this summer.

Minnesota State expects seven current players to head to 2014 development camps, which typically take place in July, including goaltender Stephon Williams (New York Islanders), forward Zach Stepan (Nashville) and forward Teddy Blueger (Pittsburgh). Williams was selected by the Islanders in the 2013 draft, Stepan was a Predators' pick in 2012 and Blueger went to the Penguins in 2012, as well. 

Mavericks who are attending camps as undrafted free agents include defenseman Zach Palmquist (Minnesota), goaltender Cole Huggins (Calgary) and defenseman Sean Flanagan (Winnipeg). Incoming freshman forward Brad McClure will also be a Pittsburgh camp attendee.

Although he won't be attending the San Jose Sharks camp this summer, senior forward Max Gaede has spent the last three summers in California and says it's a great experience for an up-and-coming player.

"For me, it was opportunity to size yourself up against the other prospsects," said Gaede, who was chosen by the Sharks in the 2010 draft. "San Jose runs a six-day camp and there are drafted players, along with some undrafted guys and prospects in their system, so around 40-45 players were at the camps I attended. The other organizations sometimes bring in a larger group."

A typical camp day for the Woodbury, Minn., native featured conditioning work, power skating and development programming. All in front of the watchful eyes of the Sharks' coaching staff, the coaching staff of their AHL affiliate Worcester Sharks and San Jose's general manager Doug Wilson and his staff at the Sharks practice facility.

As the camps wrap up each prospect gets some one-on-one time with the staff during their exit interviews.

"They typically tell you what they want to see out of you for the upcoming year," explained Gaede. "It's all a lot of teaching so when you get to the next level, you know what to expect. I had to write a paper one year on what I learned at camp."