The Erie Otters have been busy this summer. In case you';ve been busy or been
spending your summer in the pool, we will get you caught up on all things
Otters as we approach the home stretch of the offseason.Jamie Drysdale at the
U-17 Development Camp

Fourth-overall pick Jamie Drysdale was invited to Canada';s National Under-17
Development Camp this past week. While playing for Team Blue, Drysdale recorded
 two assists in their second game and helped the team earn a 2-1 record in the
round-robin tournament.

Considered by many to be the best defenseman that was available in this past
Priority Selection, Drysdale showed off his great skating ability in this rush
up the ice.

Jamie Drysdale showing his great skating and hands at the #U17Camp. Drysdale
will play for the Erie Otters next season (drafted #4 overall in the OHL
priority draft). pic.twitter.com/GrNGTfGXMF

- Hockey Prospects Center (@NHLProspectGIFS) July 27, 2018

Drysdale is expected to be a major contributor to both the Otters and Hockey
Canada in future seasons. As GM Dave Brown recently told me, Drysdale is one of
 the best defensemen to come through the league in some time. Otters'; fans
will have plenty to look forward to coming up.Otters Select Petr Cajka in
Import Draft

The Otters needed a forward at the CHL Import Draft and got one when they took
Petr Cajka with the 11th overall pick. He last played in the Swiss Elite Jr. A
League.

Cajka is considered by some as a potential first-round pick in the 2019 NHL
Draft. GM Dave Brown gave the following assessment of Cajka:

"He's a slick, smooth skating center who is responsible and has a very good
hockey IQ. As a late 2000, Petr enters this season as a player who has
garnished a great deal of interest leading into the 2019 draft based on his
efforts and hard work, and we're excited to be able to assist him through the
process."

Expectations were certainly going to be higher in Erie this season. This pick
helps confirm that notion. Early predictions I';ve seen have the Otters
finishing 6th-8th in the Western Conference and making the playoffs.Aidan
Timmermans Helps Raise Funds for Humboldt

This is a really cool story. Defenseman Aidan Timmermans teamed up with Iron
Empire Clothing on a T-shirt fundraiser to raise funds for the Humboldt Family
Assistance Fund. After 815 shirts, $24,000 was sent to the Fund. $12,000 was
raised by Timmermans and then matched by Otters'; owner Jim Waters.

"I expected to sell a few shirts to family, friends and through the gym I work
out at," Timmermans said. "With the power of social media and help of the
Otters, we took orders for 700 shirts in the first week. My experiences in the
OHL really showed me that one person can make a difference. I';m very fortunate
 and extremely thankful to have the opportunity in any way I can."

After the tragic accident involving @HumboldtBroncos, Aidan Timmermans knew he
had to help his hockey family and collaborated w/ @IronEmpireCo to begin a
t-shirt fundraiser. 815 shirts later, he's donating $24,000 to @HockeyCanada's
Humboldt Family Assistance Fund #HumboldtStrong

- Erie Otters (@ErieOtters) July 11, 2018

In a time where there';s been much in the way of tragedies throughout the
world, seeing stuff like this does give us hope that if we come together, we
can really make a difference in the world. Well done, Aidan.Otters Hire Shane
Clifford as Goaltending Coach

The Otters made an addition to their coaching staff by bringing in Shane
Clifford as their new goaltending coach. The name should ring a bell to some
fans. He';s the coach that helped Carter Hart win CHL Goaltender of the Year.

Clifford brings a wealth of experience to the Otters. He';s been in Pittsburgh,
 Wilkes-Barre, Columbus (Ohio State), Johnstown and Les Duc d';Angers. He also
has a goaltending school in the Pittsburgh area. John Gibson is among the
notables that have gone through the school.

The Otters are expected to have both Anand Oberoi and Daniel Murphy compete for
 the starting job with both splitting time early. Bringing in a coach like
Clifford should help their development. Now the question is which one will rise
 up and claim the crease as their own. It';ll be one of the early storylines of
 the 2018-19 season.

And that';s it. You are caught up on the Otters. Their preseason gets underway
at the second annual OHL Showcase at Buffalo';s Harborcenter at the end of
August. Make sure you follow THW as camps around the country will be underway
within a month';s time.

The post Erie Otters'; Summer Checkup appeared first on The Hockey Writers.

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