Colorado College defensemen Brian Connelly and Nate Prosser hadn't planned on taking a road trip this summer.

Two phone calls and an 81/2-hour drive later, they were taking in the sights of St. Louis - the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium and the innards of the Scottrade Center, where the St. Louis Blues play. Connelly even chatted with fellow Bloomington, Minn., native Erik Johnson, the Blues' No. 1 draft pick in 2006, as he passed through the locker room.

As last-minute invitees to the Blues' development camp June 24-27, Connelly and Prosser - both undrafted free agents - got a quick and unexpected tour of professional hockey.

"It was pretty interesting having the jersey on and there were fans watching the practices," said Connelly, who also was invited to the Chicago Blackhawks' prospects camp that starts today and lasts through Friday in Bensenville, Ill. "I thought we played well and showed them what kind of players we are."

Eight CC players and recruit Scott Winkler, a forward tabbed for the class of 2009, will participate in NHL development camps this summer, including half of the Tigers' eight-player defensive corps.

In addition to Connelly and Prosser, Vancouver Canucks draftee Kris Fredheim, a junior, attended camp in late June and CC captain Jake Gannon, an undrafted free agent, will begin Washington Capitals camp today.

Center Chad Rau, the Tigers' top scorer last season and a Toronto draft pick, won't participate in Maple Leafs camp this week as he has in years past because of scheduling conflicts, he said.

To maintain NCAA eligibility, players must pay their way to camps, where they participate in practices, scrimmages, off-ice conditioning, seminars and team-building activities. The seminars touch on conditioning, off-ice conduct, media awareness and nutrition; at Maple Leafs camp last year, Rau learned to skin, fillet and grill fish in a cooking class.

Drafted players such as goaltender Richard Bachman, a fourth-round pick by the Dallas Stars in 2006, treat development camps as a chance for face time with their potential employers.

"It's a week of getting to know the organization better, getting to know the owners and all of the trainers and everyone behind the scenes," said Bachman, whose equipment was set up in Stars starting goaltender Marty Turco's stall when he arrived at camp last summer.

Since being drafted 38th last summer by the Blackhawks, left wing Bill Sweatt has been eagerly awaiting his introduction to the organization - and to cheer on his beloved Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field with the fellow prospects.

"They want to see that you're working hard and that you're trying to develop," said Sweatt, who missed last year's camp because of a wrist injury. "You want to give them a first impression of what you can do and how you can play against guys who are pro or will be pro very soon."

About halfway through the summer training program - most CC players will wait until the last week of August to trickle back on campus - Bachman said development camp comes at the "perfect time."

"It reminds you to keep pushing for the rest of the summer," he said.