Nick Ritchie, Nic Kerdiles try to make impression at Ducks’ rookie camp

Where better to spend one of the hottest days of the year than in a cold hockey rink? Where better to spend any day, really?

The Ducks opened their rookie camp Friday at Anaheim Ice, where some of their recent draft picks, a few free agents and players on tryouts hoped to impress the coaches and scouts who watched from above. The Ducks’ rookies will play the San Jose Sharks’ rookies twice this weekend: Saturday’s game will be at 6 p.m. at Anaheim Ice and Sunday’s game will be at 5 p.m. at the Honda Center.

Admission for each game is $5, and parking will be free. Sunday’s game will be followed by an autograph session.

The rookie camp roster includes four former first-round draft picks: Stefan Noesen (chosen 21st by Ottawa in 2011 and acquired in the Bobby Ryan trade); Rickard Rakell, drafted 30th by the Ducks in 2011; defenseman Shea Theodore, chosen 26th by the Ducks in 2013; and Nick Ritchie, chosen 10th in June.

Noesen missed most of last season because of a knee injury but returned to play two regular-season games and four playoff games for Norfolk (Va.) of the American Hockey League and is healthy.

Ritchie, 18, is expected to return to Peterborough of the Ontario Hockey League because he’s too young to be assigned to the AHL. He’s intent on learning as much as possible while in Anaheim.

“It’s pretty cool to get your first NHL training camp,” said the 6-foot-2, 226-pound left wing. “I’m going through every day and working hard. The rookie games will be a good test to see where everyone is at. It’s just a fine time right now.

“Everyone here is trying to make the team and that’s not going to happen for everyone. But a good camp goes a long way in deciding where you’re going to play, and being good every day will help as well.”

This is also the first rookie camp for 2012 second-round pick Nic Kerdiles, who grew up in Irvine. His family watched Friday’s practice and will form a cheering section for him at the weekend rookie games. “And, hopefully, the preseason games,” he said. “We’ve got a couple at home, if I get to play in those.”

Kerdiles, projected to be a power forward at 6 feet 2 and 191 pounds, played two seasons at the University of Wisconsin before turning pro last spring and playing for the Ducks’ Norfolk farm team.

He had been to a Ducks conditioning camp before but not to a rookie camp or full training camp. The full camp will start next week.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m used to the conditioning camp and playing with the younger guys. To get my opportunity with the guys that are actually on the team and kind of fight for a spot is going to be a real fun position for me.

“You get an opportunity in training camp and you try to make the best of it and then hopefully you get to wear that jersey one day and play a regular-season NHL game.”

Many NHL veterans skated on the other rink at Anaheim Ice, including Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and recent acquisition Ryan Kesler. Only dynamic winger Devante Smith-Pelly remains unsigned.

General Manager Bob Murray said he spoke with Smith-Pelly’s agent, Eustace King, on Thursday and the dialog had continued Friday between King and David McNab, the Ducks’ senior vice president of hockey operations.

“We’re getting closer, I think. I think,” Murray said.