DETROIT >> The Red Wings drafted eight players into professional hockey last weekend. Now, they’re going to educate those picks and others young players they’ve drafted about what it takes to be successful in pro hockey.

The Wings will host their annual development camp Monday through Thursday at the Belfor Training Center in Little Caesars Arena.

The camp isn’t any sort of evaluation for the approximately 40 prospects expected to attend. Rather, it’s an informative week of daily on-ice instruction and skill development from a team of coaches, led by Dan Cleary and Niklas Kronwall, who lead the Wings’ player development staff.

Players will take part in NHL-level off-ice workouts and attend presentations designed to help players transition to professional hockey. The camp will conclude Thursday with a four-on-four game.

Kris Draper, the Wings’ director of amateur scouting, believes this camp is one of the most important events the organization offers to its prospects.

“The sports science department, to trainers, medical staff, nutritionists, it’s a crash course in as much information as we can give these guys,” Draper said. “That’s what we’re doing. We want them to understand the importance of training. It’s something that we put a big emphasis on for a lot of us that played and are still in the organization. That was something that meant a lot to all of us when we played, so we want to let them know the importance of training properly and training at the right time.

“Know what to eat, know when to eat is also very important. Then even on top of that, with the sleep. It’s probably something that a lot of these young players take for granted.

“There’s so much we want to offer them. There’s so much information out there and we think we do a real good job in educating all these young players and give them something to be able to take home over the summer, whether it’s training or nutrition.

“We want to give them as much information as possible.”

The camp is split into two rosters, with many of the Wings’ recent draft picks — including this past weekend’s — in attendance. Players selected by the Wings over the last several drafts, as well as signed free-agent prospects and undrafted free-agent invitees from collegiate, junior or European leagues, are also invited.

Position switch

The Wings’ second-round pick Saturday, forward Eddie Genborg, actually started in hockey as a goaltender.

Genborg figures he was about 12 when he left the crease and became a skater, after having a revelation.

“I was tired of letting the puck go behind me in net,” Genborg said. “I wanted to score some goals instead. I just wanted to go out and score. That’s the biggest thing.”

Genborg (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) already has a NHL-caliber body and plays a physical game the Wings feel is vital.

“He’s a big, strong kid who can really skate and be physical on the forecheck, a guy who is tough to play against,” Draper said. “We just like the intensity he’s able to bring.”

Genborg has developed into a fine offensive player but was quick to make an important point.

“I would say I was a pretty good goalie,” Genborg said.

Genborg will play for Timra (Sweden) next season, former Wings star Henrik Zetterberg’s old team.

“Henrik gave him a text to welcome him to the Detroit Red Wings and Eddie was very fired up,” Draper said. “We had our secret agent in Sweden working for us, so Henrik was happy with the pick as well.”

Home sweet home

General manager Steve Yzerman expressed satisfaction Friday with the “decentralized” draft, which the NHL tried this year with front offices in their hometowns and prospects in a Los Angeles theatre for television purposes.

Draper agreed, enjoying the privacy for teams and scouts the setup provided.

“I liked it,” Draper said. “The reason I enjoyed it was as we were getting ready to make our pick, instead of a scout coming over to me on the draft table and you’d have a drone or camera sitting over you while you trying to talk about a player, (instead) we were able to throw names out, and analytically we were able to have stuff up on screens and monitors all set up, which was a huge advantage and something you can’t do in an in-person draft.

“It was great. I’ve spent enough time on the road, and to do something like we did (Friday’s first round), and head home and be able to get up in the morning and get a workout in, come back down here (to Little Caesars Arena) and finish rounds two through seven was a huge advantage.”