OTTAWA - Shane Prince has made himself right at home at Senators development camp.
The Ottawa 67’s winger got a bonus trip back to the national capital to take part in the seven-day camp that wraps up Monday with a 3-on-3 tournament at the Bell Sensplex before the 36 players head their separate ways.
If Prince, 18, needed another learning experience, he got a glimpse of what life is going to be like when training camp starts in September.
“This has definitely been a good experience and it’s been a bit of a grind with a full seven days of this but it’s been fun,” said Prince Sunday.
“What I’ve learned here is going to be benefit me down the road.”
Selected 61st overall in the NHL draft a week ago, Prince, a Rochester, N.Y., native, couldn’t have been happier to hear Senators assistant GM Tim Murray call his name.
Prince scored 25 goals and 63 assists with the 67’s last season. Prince isn’t huge at 5-foot-11, but has plenty of time to grow.
“The kid just has great speed,” said 67’s GM Brian Kilrea. “(Tyler) Toffoli got a lot of the credit and (Ryan) Martindale got a lot of the credit, but it was Shane Prince that made the line by using his speed.
“That allowed Toffoli and Martindale to get into position and that allowed (Prince) to become a great passer. He’d either find the guy for a shot or a rebound.”
Prince said getting drafted by the Senators couldn’t have worked out any better.
“I bring offence for sure and I love the city of Ottawa,” said Prince. “I couldn’t be happier anywhere else.”
Prince is the third 67’s player selected by the Senators in their 19-year draft history — along with Corey Cowick and Will Colbert.
Prince said he’s looking forward to a break before attending Team USA’s world junior camp next month in Lake Placid.
“I can’t remember the last time I had a day off,” said Prince. “From getting drafted to coming here, it’s all been a bit of a blur.”
