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(PHOTOS: Robinson- Mark Spowart/Icon Sportswire; Talbot- Glen Cuthbert/Hamilton Red Wings; DiGiacinto- Glen Cuthbert/Hamilton Red Wings)

By Glen Cuthbert

As NHL teams prepared to pick their rosters for the 2014-15 season, nine former Hamilton Red Wings were in the mix. For some, it was their first taste of NHL-caliber competition, while for others it was the opportunity to make a lasting impression and hopefully earn a spot in the National Hockey League. For two former Wings, their spots are already cemented, and they will be tuning up for another season in the NHL. Here are the Red Wings alumni who attended NHL training camps:

Arizona Coyotes- Tyler Gaudet

Signing with the Coyotes after his junior career was complete, Gaudet continued his meteoric rise through the hockey ranks, and is a highly regarded prospect in the Coyotes system. He played one season with the Red Wings before getting called to play major junior. After splitting the next two seasons between three organizations, Gaudet caught on with the Soo Greyhounds in a big way for his final season, and drew the attention of Coyotes scouts. He played two games last season for the Yotes' AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates, where he will start this season.

Carolina Hurricanes- Kyle Hagel

Playing for his ninth team in six years, the journeyman forward is looking to make his mark in the Hurricanes organization. An original Red Wing, Hagel played two seasons for Hamilton between 2002-04. He has AHL experience with Rochester, Rockford, Peoria, Hamilton, and Portland. Hagel will play for the Charlotte Checkers, his sixth American League team.

Chicago Blackhawks- Matt Carey

Just two seasons removed from playing with the Red Wings, Carey made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks last season, playing in two games and picking up his first NHL goal. After playing parts of three seasons with the Wings, he joined St. Lawrence University on a scholarship. Carey played one season at St. Lawrence before signing with the Hawks. He will begin the season with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.

New York Rangers- Cam Talbot

One of the biggest Cinderella stories of the 2013-14 season, Talbot went from the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack to the Stanley Cup Finals with the New York Rangers last year. n three seasons with the Red Wings, he led the team to a West Division championship and took home OJHL MVP honours in 2007. He enters the season as the go-to guy behind Henrik Lundqvist in the Blueshirts' net.

Ottawa Senators- Buddy Robinson

Still hanging tough at Senators camp, Robinson is doing his best to make sure Ottawa has no choice to keep him. He caught their eye when he scored the lone goal for Ottawa in their September 30 game against the Winnipeg Jets. Robinson played one season for the Red Wings. If he doesn't make the big club in Ottawa, he'll return to the AHL's Binghamton Senators.

Philadelphia Flyers- Zac Rinaldo

Fresh off signing a two-year extension with the Flyers, Rinaldo has played the most NHL games of any Red Wings alumnus. A sixth-round pick of Philadelphia in 2008, Rinaldo was with the Wings for one season before making the jump to the OHL with the St. Michael's Majors. A well-known agitator and feared fighter across the NHL, he is entering his fourth season with the Flyers.

Tampa Bay Lightning- Cristiano DiGiacinto

DiGiacinto impressed at Tampa's rookie camp, and earned himself an invite to the Bolts' main camp. Drafted in the 2014 sixth round by the Lightning, he played part of one season with the Red Wings before joining the OHL's Windsor Spitfires. DiGiacinto has been returned to Windsor to continue his junior career, but the Lightning will keep a close eye on him.

Toronto Maple Leafs- Spencer Abbott

The first of four Red Wings to make their NHL debuts last season, Abbott played in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2013-14 home opener. After being sent down to the Marlies, he averaged over a point-per-game with the Marlies and finished seventh in AHL scoring, showing the same offensive ability he used during his three years with the Red Wings. He will start the season with the Toronto Marlies.

Washington Capitals- Joey Diamond

After two seasons with the Islanders organization, it was time for a change for Joey Diamond. He signed with the Hershey Bears this off-season, and got a main camp invite from their parent club, the Washington Capitals. A veteran of one season with the Red Wings, Diamond spent four years at the University of Maine before joining the Islanders. He will suit up for the American League's Bears this season.