The thing about July hockey, in a 3v3 format, with 90s and 2000’s songs pumped in over the PA system is that there are plenty of reminders that what you’re witnessing isn’t meant to be the most consequential action that you’ll ever see. It’s probably the opposite, so any and all takes should remain measured. The Penguins wrapped up their week long camp for recent draftees and free agent invites in such a fashion. It was surely great instructional time for the young players and a great learning opportunity
for the coaches and organization to lay eyes on some players that won’t be spending a lot of time in Pittsburgh in the next 12 months.
Here’s a running diary of quick thoughts jotted down on a phone while also trying to keep up with the action from today’s mini tournament. Some notes are even contradicted later on, that’s just the nature of watching 18-23 year olds play hockey- good and bad moments can rotate frequently. As it was mentioned above, this should all be in the context that today’s format served its own purpose and really shouldn’t be an endorsement or indictment in the big picture.
Game 1
-Livanavage is looking good out there with his skating and slowing things down when he has the puck.
-Galvas goes to net, Ryan Miller holds puck long enough to make pass for tap in goal
-Tretheway nice stick to deflect shot attempt
-Sanderson and M. Ruck with some nice passing between each other
-Dach nice pass to shoudy, weak centering heat D’Aigle
-M Ruck not carrying puck much but good off it to lurk off it
-Miller on the other hand ALWAYS seemingly on the puck and calling for it whenever he doesn’t have it
-Sabo nice play to step up and hit crossbar. Great lead up he developed
-Galvas often moving forward, initiated a forecheck 3v3 summer hockey lol
-Livanavage holds off Ruck and Mille in a corner puck battle. Those three were going at it well, the two attackers didn’t win this one
-Hayes goal, nice raised backhander but iffy goaltending from Ufa invite
-Good 2v1 led by Rheaume-Mullen. Held long enough made great pass on goal
-Kettles looks lanky in a good way. Nice hands and passes. Stands out by being so much longer than the rest. 3v3 isn’t his strength but he’s making do.
-Dach in alone, best save of day for D’Aigle using leg on backhand deke
-Russell hacks a goal in
-3v1 rush miller sets up Liam stopped by goalie
-Sabo has nice dangles
Second game
-Hayes has been shooting on backhand a lot today
-Galvas very nice pass, impressed by his vision and ability to put a strong pass on the tape
-Miller misses an open net tap in driving to the back post. Would have been a tough play with the puck flying in
-Liam shows first round hands in small area play.
-Peddle made a nice defensive play to break up centering pass
-Horbach nice wheels. Looked it up, he’s 24 and played 4 NCAA seasons. It’s noticeable compared to mostly younger players here
-3v2 rush after a player falls, casey made first save, second chance buried by Liam in tight. Great play and what you want/expect to see for some finishing instinct
-Plante looks small, missed net with shot, doesn’t look very quick today
-Galvas just took one of the rare faceoffs. We sure this guy’s a defenseman? Literally wouldn’t know it from today.
-Duke battles, smart positioning and stick, small but like what I’ve seen today. Looked him up, also a college grad that signed an AHL contract with Wilkes.
-Plante with some sick skating and dekes to setup Mbuyi up for easy one. Those two in this format can be nasty.
-Casey stops Beauchesne on breakaway nice pass from Liam to create it.
-Indecision from Liam to take a false step forward in o zone and pressure leads to a 2v1 against. Didn’t know whether to fall back or move forward, hesitation meant he accomplished neither.
-This Casey guy in net is a July star. Just looked him up, only 18 and somehow didn’t get drafted last week. Plays in Medicine Har with the Rucks. Super-impressed by Casey’s efforts.
-Peddle misplays the puck fanning on a pass, causes breakaway that Casey stops. Of course he does!
-Casey pulled late, nice puck moment from Plante, Mbuyi scores again. Great job there.
-Plante amazing drive to net and top shelf late goal. Retract negative note above, he does sort of seem to float around at times but he’s clearly a stud.
Game 3
-Peddle with more troubles playing the puck, good skater hands part iffy at times
-Mbuyi sweet pass to get away from danger when getting overload pressure. That kid has some vision.
-Plante vs Kettle on a rush, advantage Kettles
-Marcus Ruck with nice saucer pass from behind net. He’s been mostly quiet but shows some flashes here and there
-Livanavage takes McGowan hard into boards in maybe the only big collision of the day
-3v2 power play, which is a complete show. Plante has all day in front of net totally unmarked, sets Horbach up for easy goal
-Kettles takes puck from Mbuyi on rush.
-Charron gets a breakaway, saved
-Peddle makes nice move to backhand on breakaway. So he can deke, but moving the puck has been a challenge at times.
-McGowan drives net, uses body as shield, scores. Great move, he’s also signed for the AHL next year and looks good today.
-Livananavge now takes faceoff, wins it. Sure, why not.
Final game
-2v1 rush Plante passes to Mbuyi back to Plante for goal. Wow
-Yellow team using 2D with Kettles and Livanavage almost exclusively now. Smart move, it’s changed flow of game and gotten them more control.
-Dach hits post, seconds later Peddle sets up Mbuyi for goal at other end. Always happens in hockey, even in the summer.
-Livanavage sets up Markus for goal, nice too shelf shot in stride
-Mbuyi scores again in 4v3 with goalie pulled. Might have been first slapshot of the day for any team. Second 4v3 goal of the day for him, he finds space, raises the stick to show he’s available for the one-T and has the power to score. Heck of a performance for him today.
-Mbuyi stopped at buzzer in last desperation chance for tying goal.
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Another disclaimer to not over-emphasize what was seen today. But I think it’s safe to say the players that stood out the most in a positive way for me were Plante, Mbuyi, Kettles, Miller and Peddle. Also big props to the goalie Carter. The Ruck twins had some moments but were not dominant. Livanavage was one of the better players out there too, but did not dominate or look a massive amount ahead of the field. Galvas too was a fun watch and talented player.
Development camps are a good way to plant seeds for the future, the Pens wrap up 2026’s showing with a nice day before the ice goes quiet for team activities until training camp.
