Thrashers prospect camp to include Evander Kane

Evander Kane introduces himself to his new town this weekend.

The Thrashers begin their six-day Prospect Development Camp Friday with all nine of the team's 2009 draft picks scheduled to attend. That includes Kane, the No. 4 overall pick, who gets his first taste of pro hockey with his stated goal of making the Thrashers roster in the fall.

The camp will be held at the team's practice facility at the Duluth IceForum. All on-ice sessions are free and open to the public.

Kane stated on draft night that he intends to do everything he can to make the NHL roster out of training camp.

"I'm definitely expecting to make the team," Kane said. "I go into any [training] camp with that goal. I think if I continue to get bigger and get better as a player, I can do it."

Thrashers general manager Don Waddell said there was a good chance Kane could be ready.

"That is our belief, that if he continues to get stronger in the next eight or 10 weeks, he has a very good chance to be with us," Waddell said.

The development camp will be Kane's first chance as a professional to make an impression on Thrasher coaches.

In all, 33 prospects will work under the supervision of Director of Amateur Scouting and Player Development Dan Marr. Don Granato, head coach of the Thrashers' AHL affiliate in Chicago, will run practices. Players will also go through off-ice conditioning drills.

In addition to this year's draft picks, including second-round selections Carl Klingberg and Jeremy Morin, several past first-round picks will also be in attendance. They include Angelo Esposito, a first-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2007 and a key piece in the Marian Hossa trade two years ago, and Daultan Leveille, a Thrashers first-round pick last year.

Prospect Camp Schedule

Friday: 3-5 p.m.

Saturday: 9-10:50 a.m. and 2:30-5 p.m.

Sunday: 9-11 a.m. and 3-3:45 p.m.

Monday: 2-5 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m.-Noon

Wednesday: 9 a.m.-Noon and 3-5 p.m.