With it being that time of year again, Development Camps are open around The NHL as many prospects seek to impress the clubs who either recently drafted them, or with whom they’ve been playing in their system. 

One such player is a right wing out of The USHL named Ben Kevan. This 6-1, 179 lbs, Fairfield, California native was drafted by the Devils on Saturday, in the second round, 63rd overall. Kevan is present at the Devils Development Camp and after his first day of skating on Monday, he was kind enough to sit down and talk about several topics. 

*Editor’s Note: Questions and Answers have been lightly edited for clarity.

Question: It’s only the first day of camp, but what have you seen out of your fellow prospects?

Kevan: “Everyone’s really good. New Jersey has a lot of big guys here and that’s the one thing that has been very eye-opening. There’s a lot of really big players and a lot of really skilled players and it’s very cool to be in that environment of all these guys who are also trying to make the same jump that I am. So it’s really cool to just be around.”

Question: What are you most looking to learn during this Development Camp?

Kevan: “The biggest thing for me is just learning how to play with the puck on my stick against this bigger, stronger competition and being able to learn how to use my body in order to hold onto the puck for longer. So I think that’s the biggest thing for me.”

Question: Did you know any of these guys personally before coming to camp?

Kevan: “I knew Mason Moe and Conrad Fondrk beforehand, so it makes it that much easier knowing someone before I get there.”

Question: Where would you like to see your game be by the end of the upcoming season?

Kevan: “I’m gonna be at Arizona State next year, so I just hope that I have a really good season and I end up playing my way into a top role as someone who can be relied on, not just offensively, but also defensively. That’s something that I’m really trying to round out. And then, by the end of the year, I wanna be a guy who’s in the conversation and maybe gets signed, maybe not. I don’t wanna necessarily say, ‘I wanna be signed right away,’ but it’s something that I’ve always dreamt of and if I have the opportunity, that’s where I’d wanna be.”

Question: What is your personal timeline for wanting to be playing for the Devils at The NHL level?

Kevan: “I’d say I’d probably give myself a timeline of maybe two to three years. Like, at the end of my second year, going into my third year. I think I’d give myself a good shot to at least get a few games in The NHL. Maybe start out in The AHL first season and then find my way in (to The NHL).”

Question: Which NHL players do you try to model parts of your game after?

Kevan: “I think the two biggest, for me, are Jordan Kyrou and Troy Terry. The way that they can skate and use their skating ability to make space for themselves and their teammates around them. That’s something that I’ve been trying to emulate in my game and it’s someone I always try to take off after.”

Question: Have you ever gotten the chance to speak to either of them?

Kevan: “No.”

Question: Is it part of your future plans?

Kevan: “Yeah, hopefully one day.”

Question: What do you like to do away from the ice?

Kevan: “It’s basic, but I like golfing. It’s really fun. It’s easy to get outside and just play and sit in the sun for a little bit. I find that fun. And then, being from California, I like going to the beach, just going into the water, kind of messing around. I think that’s pretty fun too. Surfing…I’ve tried it once and it’s not necessarily for me, but I mean, I might try to get back into it, maybe next summer.”

Question: What is it about golf and hockey players? You don’t see baseball players and other athletes playing golf nearly as much as hockey players do.

Kevan: “For me, I got really addicted, because, when you hit a good shot in golf, it’s something that’s addicting and I try to chase that thrill as much as possible. So, I think that’s what’s fun to me, is hitting those good shots. But I just think it’s fun. It’s easy, because hockey isn’t a summer sport necessarily and golf is really good for the summer. So you’re able to just get out there without necessarily having to focus on having a game in the next few days.”

Question: Have you ever gotten a hole-in-one?

Kevan: “No, not yet. Still looking for it.”

Question: What are your favorite courses to play?

Kevan: “I played one in Des Moines that was really cool. I don’t remember the name off the top of my head. It’s pretty fun, though. It was about 10 minutes away from my house, so I played it quite a bit.”

Question: Do you have any club or ball preferences?

Kevan: “I like my SIM2 Driver. That’s my favorite club. And then for ball, I don’t know, any ball really. I’m not good enough to be super picky about a ball yet.”

Question: What’s been your best drive?

Kevan: “I think my best drive’s been around 300 (yards).”

Question: Do you know your handicap?

Kevan: “No, not off the top of my head. I’d have to look at it.”

Question: Last question. How helpful is it to already know guys like Conrad and Mason before this brief Development Camp?

Kevan: “It just makes it that much easier knowing someone else in the locker room before you get here. Just to be able to have kind of an outlet to talk to and kind of connect with on a deeper level. Because, I mean, when you get here first, you’re gonna meet guys and you’re gonna be able to talk to them, but you don’t really know them yet. So, I think it’s nice having that.”