Mankato, Minn. --- Members of the Minnesota State men's hockey program have received invitations to participate in National Hockey League development camps this summer.

Minnesota State expects two current players, along with a pair former players to head to 2019 development camps.

Center Jared Spooner, who has tallied 11 goals and 35 assists for 46 points in his two seasons with Minnesota State, will attend Pittsburgh's camp.

Freshman-to-be Nathan Smith, who was selected by Winnipeg in the third round (91st overall) of the 2018 NHL draft, will attend the Jets camp.  Smith, a forward hailing from Florida, has spent the past two years playing with Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League.

Former Maverick forward C.J. Suess is also at the Winnipeg Jets camp and former Minnesota State goaltender Connor LaCouvee is going camping with the Montreal Canadiens.

NCAA student-athletes participating in NHL development camps do not have their eligibility affected. The camps give team draft picks and free agent invitees the chance to experience an NHL camp with team staff on and off the ice.

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