NHL teams' development camps offer different opportunities for the variety of players in attendance. For recent draft picks, it's a chance to make a first impression on their new organization; for free agents, it's an opportunity to turn more heads.

These camps might be most important for the players poised to begin their first professional season in the fall. It's a final opportunity to prove their readiness among their peers before competing with veterans in September.

Development Campers | Infographic

Here are five former college stars who made positive impressions as they approach their first pro season:

Danton Heinen, Denver/Boston Bruins

Heinen (Langley, B.C./Surrey-BCHL) followed an impact freshman season with 48 points and a Frozen Four appearance in 2015-16. A fourth-round pick in 2014, his stock has climbed dramatically as he has developed at Denver, and he is considered a contender for the Bruins' opening night roster.

A big reason for that is his offensive skill, combined with defensive responsibility he learned under head coach Jim Montgomery.

"I believe that in the last two years, my game improved quite a bit at Denver – especially my defensive game,” he told the Patriot Ledger. "You think it’s kind of a cliché, but once I started focusing more on the defensive part, I wasn’t spending as much time in our end. You’re breaking the puck out quicker, going to the right spots, creating more offense.

“It just feels good when you can play an all-around game.”

Sean Kuraly, Miami/Boston Bruins

After graduating from Miami Kuraly (Dublin, Ohio/Indiana-USHL) attended his sixth NHL development camp but just his second with the Bruins, who acquired his rights in a trade with San Jose.

With school complete, Kuraly came to development camp with a complete focus on hockey.

"I’ve got my college degree. There’s no looking back. It’s all hockey now,’’ Kuraly told Mark Divver of the Providence Journal. “School was great, I’m glad I went, but I’m really excited for what’s next."

Ian McCoshen, Boston College/Florida Panthers

In three seasons at Boston College, McCoshen (Hudson, Wis./Waterloo-USHL) enjoyed a steady progression of development, becoming a top-pairing defenseman and a second-team All-Hockey East selection as a junior.

That development earned recognition at Panthers' camp.

"He's got man strength," Panthers Director of Player Development Bryan McCabe said of McCoshen. "He's a big kid. He can toss some people around. He's a pretty compact guy and a smart hockey player and knows what he is. Really well-rounded on the ice, smart hockey IQ, so he should fit in well here."

Jamie Phillips, Michigan Tech/Winnipeg Jets

Bachelor's degree in hand, Phillips is still working on some additional pre-med coursework at Michigan Tech, but his hockey career will be his lone focus this fall.

The WCHA Scholar-Athlete of the Year will contend for playing time in a crowded Jets goaltending pipeline, but feels his time with the Huskies has prepared him well for the challenge ahead.

“In college it’s tough, with the school grind, you have to learn how to play your best every night because in college every night is like a game seven – the intensity’s through the roof," Phillips told the Manitoba Moose web site. “There’s no off-nights. So, I was able to learn how to be consistent every night – play my best and give my team a chance to win.”

Nick Schmaltz, North Dakota/Chicago Blackhawks

First-round draft choice Schmaltz leaves North Dakota as a national champion and will now compete with other NCAA alums - like Tyler Motte, Tanner Kero, Vinny Hinostroza and others - for playing time in the Blackhawks' lineup.

He noted in Blackhawks' development camp how much more prepared he fely after two seasons in Grand Forks.

"I feel stronger on the puck, my legs feel stronger," he said in this video interview. "I feel like I’m playing harder in all three zones. I’ve made some pretty big steps and I hope I can continue to make progress with my game.”