2019 Rookie Camp Non-Roster Invitees; Who Are They?

This is Charles-Antoine Roy, not Nicolas Roy. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

We’re almost out of the woods, hockey is right around the corner. In less than two weeks Golden Knights rookies report to camp with a trio of games to follow in Anaheim the weekend of September 7th. The Golden Knights announced the roster set to participate in those games. It includes 26 players with 18 of them under Golden Knights control.

That means there are eight players who are camp invitees by the Golden Knights. Here’s a look at each one of them.

Justin Ducharme
Forward – Chicoutimi Saguenéens

Ducharme attended Development Camp this summer after not being listed on the original roster to do so. He’s coming off a stellar season in the Q scoring 30 goals in 66 games. His best asset is his skating. He’s quick, has high-end top speed, and excellent acceleration.

Pavel Gogolev
Forward – Guelph Storm

A player that previously had no ties to the Golden Knights will be the most intriguing non-VGK player in rookie camp. The 19-year-old forward has slick hands as has shown an ability to score in bunches in the OHL. He was traded from Peterborough to Guelph last season and went on to help the Storm win the Memorial Cup. He’s been described in scouting reports as “dynamic” and “heavily offensive-minded.”

Taro Jentzsch
Forward – Sherbrooke Phoenix

SinBin.vegas intern Alex Norwood profiled Jentzsch during Development Camp where he played on both squads but didn’t really stand out. The German-born forward is very small but has a knack for making the right play at the right time. He’s certainly one to keep a closer eye on this time around as he really didn’t pop, but the Golden Knights kept him around, so they must see something.

Jermaine Loewen
Forward – Kamloops Blazers

Loewen had a lot of hype heading into Development Camp as a Dallas Stars selection that was not offered a contract. As the first Jamaican to ever be drafted there’s certainly a story to be written about him, but he never saw the ice in Vegas in July due to an injury. He’s a massive forward, standing 6’4″ and weighing in over 220 pounds. Plus, he’s one of the few old enough (he’s 21) to make the leap directly to professional hockey this year. If he succeeds in camp, it wouldn’t come as a shock to see him in a Wolves uniform this season.

Cole Mackay
Forward – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

A smaller guy that scores seemingly every time he steps on the ice. MacKay tallied 61 points in 65 games as a 17-year-old in the OHL. He attended Golden Knights Development Camp this summer after going undrafted in the 2019 Draft. It will be interesting to see who he plays with in the rookie games because if he’s put in the right situation, he’ll find ways to score.

Cullen McLean
Forward – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds

Another Sault Ste. Marie guy, McLean is an interesting guy to bring back to Rookie Camp after being at Development Camp. He had an uninspiring year in the OHL and wasn’t even listed on most draft guides heading into the NHL Draft. However, he showed up to Development Camp and was absolutely noticeable on the ice in the scrimmages. He was a 15th round selection in the OHL Priority Selections Draft in 2017. He’s your classic underdog story, as a player that’s been doubted seemingly his entire career.

This is also Charles-Antoine Roy. Still not Nicolas Roy. (Photo Credit: SinBin.vegas Photographer Brandon Andreasen)

Charles-Antoine Roy
Forward – Gatineau Olympiques

No, this is not the player the Golden Knights acquired in the Erik Haula trade, that’s Nicolas Roy. This caused much confusion among those attending Development Camp as Charles-Antoine skated around with “Roy” on his back just days after Nicolas was acquired by the Golden Knights. He didn’t flash much at Development Camp (which disappointed a lot of people who thought he was the other Roy). He’ll once again return wearing a Golden Knights sweater and confuse the everyone in attendance that doesn’t know better. But, you’ve read this, so you now know.

Brayden Pachal
Defenseman – Prince Albert Raiders

The captain of the WHL Champions, Pachal is the only defenseman not currently under Golden Knights control that will attend camp. Despite going undrafted, Pachal is everything the Golden Knights look for in a prospect. He’s a leader, he plays in all situations, he’s a 200-foot player who has abover average skating, and as a defenseman, he’s considered both “mobile” and “reliable.” Today is his 20th birthday, which means he’s slated to head back to the OHL this season.

Closer to the start of camp we’ll have a “what to expect” article which dives a little deeper into each of the players that are under Golden Knights control.

VGK Rookie Camp full roster:

Forwards: Paul Cotter, Justin Ducharme, Lucas Elvenes, Cody Glass, Pavel Gogolev, Taro Jentzsch, Ben Jones, Marcus Kallionkieli, Jake Leschyshyn, Jermaine Loewen, Cole Mackay, Cullen McLean, Mason Primeau, Jonas Røndbjerg, and Charles-Antoine Roy

Defensemen: Xavier Bouchard, Dylan Coghlan, Connor Corcoran, Nicolas Hague, Kaedan Korczak, Brayden Pachal, Jimmy Schuldt and Zach Whitecloud

Goalies: Dylan Ferguson, Jordan Kooy, and Jiri Patera