This weekend, a dozen new faces of the Carolina Hurricanes organization will arrive in Raleigh to meet some of the team's developmental coaches as well as the training staff, led by Pete Friesen, so that they are familiar with the area and more importantly to learn what is expected of them by their NHL club. From the Canes original release:

Hurricanes Head Athletic Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach Peter Friesen will run the camp for 11 prospects, teaching the players proper conditioning techniques to help them prepare for careers in professional hockey.

The Camp starts Sunday and runs through Wednesday and includes an on-ice session each afternoon. This year they will be skating up at the Polar Ice House which is located in "The Factory" in Wake Forest; beginning at 5pm Sunday, and 4:30pm Monday through Wednesday. And yes, Canes fans, these on-ice sessions will be open to the public.

So knowing how desperate you are in the dog-days of July for the sound of skates cutting the ice, pucks bouncing off the boards and the chance to "WOOOHOOOO!" when the puck finds the twine, we here at Canes Country have put together all you need to know to get the most out of the opportunity.

After the jump is your Canes Country Guide to Conditioning Camp, with the link to our popular printable guide to take with you when you head to Wake Forest.

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The dust has settled and Carolina Hurricanes management claims to be very happy with the outcome of this year's draft.  While it might be difficult to argue whether or not they were successful following their "best player available" philosophy, were they able to solve some team needs along the way?

Unlike last year when the Hurricanes saw immediate results from the 2010 draft as Jeff Skinner made his presence known from day one, it usually takes years to find out how successful a draft can be.  But we can look at a few things and make some evaluations based upon what we think we know about these players at the present time. 

Did the smallest and lightest franchise in the league get any bigger?  Did they take steps to improve an inconsistent and sometimes lackluster powerplay?  Does it look like team defense will improve in the future?

Let's take a closer look at the results of this draft to see how these players might fit in and solve, (or not solve), team needs.  We will then ask our readers to give a grade of how they feel about the results.

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St. Paul, MN  The Carolina Hurricanes went for defense again in the third round as they selected 6'0 Keegan Lowe with pick number 103 in the draft.  Lowe, son of Edmonton's Kevin Lowe, is known as a physical, stay-at-home defenseman.

The blueliner said that his favorite NHL player is Shea Weber, but he could see his game developing more like a Dennis Seidenberg or Kevin Bieksa.  He wants to be known as a guy who is tough to play against.

The ISS has him ranked at 98 overall, but also as one of the top stay-at-home guys in the draft.  They say that he is very competitive and can also be combative at times.  The Red Line Report had him ranked number 85.

St. Paul, MN  The Carolina Hurricanes looked to Sweden to find their first forward in this year's draft and selected Victor Rask with the 42nd overall pick.  Rask was ranked at number 26 by the ISS and is one of the top players in Sweden in his age group. 

The forward was surprised he was picked by the Canes, but was not expecting to go to anyone in particular.  His dream is to play in the NHL, although he said that he will play in Sweden next season.

We will have more about Rask a bit later.

Again, I'm on the draft floor with the media and Cory is in the war room at the RBC.  Feel free to ask questions and chat about the remaining rounds right here.

St Paul, MN  The Carolina Hurricanes drafted star defenseman Ryan Murphy of the Kitchener Rangers with their first overall pick in this year's draft.  The Canes were a bit surprised that the highly rated blueliner fell out of the top 10, but felt like they had to pick the best player left on their list.  Murphy is an offensive dynamo and scored 79 points, (26G 53A) in 63 games for the Rangers this past season.

The former teammate of Jeff Skinner was pleased to be going to Carolina.

"I know that Jeff Skinner really loves it there, so hopefully I will too", said the latest Hurricane.

The question about the defenseman is that he might be a bit small, but the 5'11 blueliner is fast as lightning and quick on his skates.  Skinner had this to say about his former teammate two days ago.

"With Murphy, the tools he has are unique to anyone that I remember playing against in the OHL.  He's so quick on his skates, quick and shifty.  There's a knock on him that he's too small, but then he always seems to beat the guy out of the corner, or somehow comes out with the puck, he's a talented, talented guy."

From the CSS scouting report, his coach in Kitchener, Steve Spott, had the following to say:

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Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.  It's finally draft day and here at the Hilton in Minneapolis, the lobby is a buzz as fans, media types, NHL staff, and draft prospects, as well as their families, nervously wait for what is always an exciting first round on the draft floor. 

Of course, there is talk of possible trading, especially after the blockbusters that the Flyers pulled yesterday.  In the local paper, it's even rumored that the Wild could make a move.  They currently sit at 10, but don't have another pick until the third round. 

Now that the Flyers own the 8th spot, who are they interested in?  No one seems to know.

Nathan Beaulieu is moving on up

One particular player that seems to be getting a lot of interest, who is not already in the top five, is Nathan Beaulieu.  I spoke with him at the "Meet the Prospects" event yesterday and he said that 27 teams met with him at the combine and a few more interviewed him again afterward.

"Boston, Buffalo, Toronto, Minnesota, and Carolina met with me twice," said the defenseman.  "As a matter of fact, I just met with Carolina again today, (6/23)." 

At least one member of the family would not be disappointed if his son was selected by the Hurricanes.

"My dad golfs down in Carolina all the time," chuckled Beaulieu.  "It's a good team and I thought the interview went well."

Some scouts have told the blueliner that he is ready to play in the NHL now, some have said that he still needs work. 

"I know I need to work out and build myself up more and I'm willing to do what it takes to get bigger and stronger."

He led his junior team, the Memorial Cup winning Saint John Sea Dogs in plus/minus, (+44), but is considered an offensive first player.  The Canes seem very interested in him, but will he still be available at #12?

The Red Line Report has him at #18, the ISS at #14, and the CSS as the 5th best skater in North America.

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As we all saw, Bob made his picks for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft yesterday. Today is my day to look like a genius (or a fool) as I attempt to predict how the draft will shake out.

There are definitely some picks of Bob's that I agree with, but maybe he was a little too concerned about his upcoming visits to Las Vegas and Minnesota to worry about our mock draft (hopefully trash talking is allowed here).

So without further ado, I will present you all with the Canes Country Mock Draft , Version Two:

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