Nine Players to Represent Erie Otters at 2025 NHL Development Camps

Erie, Pennsylvania — With the conclusion of the 2025 National Hockey League Entry Draft, the unofficial start of the 2025-26 NHL season gets underway. This is evident in the beginning of NHL Development Camps, taking place early in the month of July.

This summer, five Erie Otters have been selected to represent four teams at NHL Development Camps.

Number one overall pick Matthew Schaefer (New York Islanders), number 43 overall pick Malcolm Spence (New York Rangers), Carey Terrance (New York Rangers), Martin Misiak (Chicago Blackhawks) Ty Henry (Chicago Blackhawks) round out the drafted prospects to appear. Goaltender Noah Erliden (Pittsburgh Penguins), Pano Fimis (Columbus Blue Jackets), Ritter Coombs (Philadelphia Flyers), and Callum Hughes (Toronto Maple Leafs) are free agents, looking to impress in camp.

Otters General Manager Dave Brown spoke on the importance of Development Camps and taking the next step for these Otters players.

“Our players’ attendance at NHL Development Camps signifies their perseverance and commitment to advancing their careers,” Brown said. “Such opportunities serve as outstanding chances for acquiring knowledge and promoting continuous development. It is exciting to witness the dedication and labor that culminate in tangible rewards for their efforts.”

Schaefer highlights the list as he hits the ice for the first time in the blue and orange of the New York Islanders. Selected #1 overall in the NHL Entry Draft Friday, Schaefer looks to impress at the top level. Coming off of a shortened season due to injury, Schaefer was brilliant in the 17 games played, collecting 22 points (7G+15A) and registering a +21. This was enough to earn him the top selection, the first OHL player to go first overall in the NHL Draft since former Otter Connor McDavid in 2015. There is plenty of excitement building on Long Island around Schaefer’s first camp with the Islanders.

Spence is also seizing the opportunity to suit up for his new team after just being drafted. Selected by the New York Rangers #43 overall on day two of the NHL Entry Draft, Spence heads to the “Big Apple” with plenty to prove. Coming off of a terrific year with Erie where he picked up 73 points (32G+41A), Spence is looking to bring his explosiveness to the blue shirts.

Terrance heads to his third NHL Development Camp and first with the Rangers after being acquired by New York from Anaheim in June. Heading toward his over-age season, Terrance looks to make an impression at the next level. This former second round pick served as the Otters Captain last season and though an injury sustained in February ended his season prematurely, he skated in 45 games, collecting 39 points (20G+19A). Terrance looks to show off his speed an leadership as he suits up for his new organization for the first time.

It’s development camp number two for Henry as he suits up for the Blackhawks. Selected #163 overall by Chicago in 2024, this blue-liner looks to make strides heading into his 19-year-old season with the Otters. Henry played in 63 games for Erie last season where he picked up 17 points (1G+16A). Potential is the key for Henry and he will look to use this camp as an opportunity to grow as he looks to make an impression on his NHL squad.\

For the third year in a row, graduated forward Martin Misiak heads to Chicago Blackhawks camp. A second round pick in 2023, Misiak was terrific for the Otters in his over-age season. In 60 games with Erie, Misiak collected 59 points (23G+36A). In the playoffs, he was outstanding for the Otters, putting up 13 points over eight games played. Now heading into his first professional season, Misiak will look to make an impression as he hopes to make the AHL roster in Rockford for the 2025-26 season.

The Otters netminder from a season ago heads to his first NHL Development camp just down the road in Pittsburgh. Noah Erliden was a steady presence between the pipes for the Otters last season as in 54 games he posted a 28-18-4-2 record with a 3.42 GAA and an .895 save percentage. Selected by Erie in the CHL Import Draft last year, Erliden was a key piece in the Otters’ return to the second round of the playoffs last year. Erliden will look to make noise at Penguins camp as he prepares for his over-age season in the OHL.

Acquired mid-season from the BCHL when the rule changed allowing CHL players to play NCAA Division I hockey, Hughes made a solid impact for the Otters being the first to come over when the rule was changed. In 45 games with Erie a season ago, Hughes tallied 23 points (12G+11A) and was a key contributor to the Otters middle-six. A Boston University commit, Hughes joins Head Coach Kris Mallette at Maple Leafs camp and the forward will look to make an impact as he works toward the next level.

The “Professor” is headed back to development camp. Pano Fimis is coming off of a brilliant year with the Otters in his over-age season. He finished the year with 86 points (32G+54A) while suiting up in all 68 games for the Otters. Fimis committed to the University of Notre Dame following the conclusion of his OHL career but will look to impress those with the Blue Jackets organization heading into the new season.

One of the newest Otters looks to fight for a spot on the Eastern side of the state. Ritter Coombs, who signed with Erie in early-June has been invited to Philadelphia Flyers Development Camp. Heading toward his first season with the Otters, the Jamestown, NY native looks to impress the organization this summer. A Providence College commit, Coombs spent last season in the USHL with the Dubuque Fighting Saints and the Sioux Falls Stampede where he tallied a combined 23 points (10G+13A). Coombs looks to bring a physical edge to the Flagship City and is also looking to show this side of his game off in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Erie Otters congratulate all current and former players representing teams at NHL Development Camps and are excited for their continued development and professional growth.

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