MUSKEGON, MI -- Muskegon native Justin Abdelkader, a hockey player who wears No. 8 for the Detroit Red Wings, is taking part in a two-day youth hockey camp that started Monday, July 21, at L.C. Walker Arena.

Abdelkader, a left wing, scored 10 goals and had a career-high 28 points last season.

He spent a few minutes during a break in the hockey camp with MLive Muskegon Chronicle reporter Mark Opfermann and answered questions on a variety of topics.

1. Detroit coach Mike Babcock created a little stir recently with his comment "if you don't want to be coached, don't come here" while discussing the free-agent market. Is that a true assessment of Babcock?

I think he’s such a knowledgeable coach, he gets the most out of his players. I think he wants his players to come in open minded and ready to play to his system. Use their own skill set, but fit into an overall system. I think that’s why we’ve been so successful over so many seasons. He’s been such a successful coach because he’s had everyone buy in to winning as a team. Maybe guys don’t win as many individual accolades, but as a team he has everyone playing a brand of hockey that’s winning hockey.

2. How settled are you in your career?

I think with the experiences I’ve had and playing in the NHL for 4½ years over 300 games, I’ve started to figure out how I need to play to be successful and the things I need to do and work on and do during the year. I’ve had great experiences during my career, not only with Detroit, but with USA Hockey playing overseas, playing in two World Championships. I think that goes a long way in my development and just like I said, coaching. “Babs” has been terrific for me as a young player coming up in the organization and I had good coaching in Grand Rapids while I was there, too. Just kind of learning the game and learning it’s a different game even from the American (Hockey) League. It’s an adjustment, but kind of learning how I need to play in the NHL to be successful. Getting opportunites to play different positions and learning those on the fly, but just more comfortable with everything.

3. Do you have personal goals for the upcoming season?

Yes and no. I don’t know if I’ll put a specific number on things, but at the same time I just want to keep improving. I had a career high in points (28) and I think I still can improve off that quite a bit and I had good opportunities, played some good minutes and played with some really good players. For myself, keep working on those little things and make myself better. Try to improve on my points and goals. I think I can score more goals and get more points.

4. How close were you to making the U.S. Olympic team?

I got an invite to the orientation camp. I think there were about 45 players and goalies, so I think I had an outside chance. There were a lot of good players. I probably would have needed a few injuries or a few things to happen to make it. Even to be in consideration, the whole orientation camp in Washington was really neat.

5. Could it happen in four more years?

We’ll see. There’s talk if the NHL is going to send the players or not. We’ll see. Four years feels like a long time, but it probably won’t be that long. We’ll see, it would be a big honor.

6. What are your thoughts on plans for a new arena for the Red Wings?

It’s exciting for the city and exciting for the team. I think the Ilitches have done such a good job of revamping Detroit and putting so much money into it. I haven’t seen all the plans, but from what I heard it could be a really good thing with the rink and entertainment district and sounds like there will be some shopping. Hopefully, they can keep building on that and get people to come to Detroit. The rink is going to be a big part of it. You have Comerica and Ford Field in a small area and some residential and shopping and restaurants and I think it can only be good for Detroit.

7. You have a house here in the Muskegon. Did you get a little break away from the game this summer?

I stay here mostly, play a little golf, enjoy the lake and a little down time. Once August gets here, you start getting back on the ice. We have a pro camp at Michigan State that I’ll go and attend. Just mentally, you need to get away from the game and it’s such a long season and a grind, you need some time away from it.

8. Do you see a rise of youth hockey here in Muskegon?

I think it’s grown. I think it’s good like all the kids we have this week and I think with the Lumberjacks here they’ve done a good job of getting the community involved with the youth programs and the Junior Jacks and the Chiefs’ organization. I think youth hockey is still on the grow here in the Muskegon and I think it’s a big credit to both programs, the Junior Jacks and the Chiefs. You hope it keeps growing, it’s a great sport and the kids enjoy it.

9. Kirk Maltby couldn't make the camp, but he did play 1,000 games in his NHL career. Can that happen for you?

That’s something you hope for as a player. Something you look down to at the future, but it’s a long time. There are a lot of things that have to go right for you. To play 1,000 games, you’ve got to stay healthy, you’ve got to be in the position to succeed. There’s a lot of good players coming up and it’s about longevity and most likely play until you’re 35, at least. So there’s a lot of factors that go into it, but to play 1,000 games like Maltby did and a few other guys is a huge accomplishment.

10. Can you see yourself staying in Detroit for your entire NHL career?

I love it in Detroit. That would be the ideal situation to play my career here. We’ll see, I have two more years on my contract and I’m just going to work hard and just try to be the best player I can for the team and do what I can. I love it, being from Michigan, playing at Michigan State, it’s been really special for me and we’re seeing a few more Michigan kids on the team is pretty neat. They just drafted a guy from Detroit and that’s good to see. It’s been a blessing to play for the Red Wings. It’s been 4½ years and six years with the organization. You never know what’s going to happen, but I’d love to finish my career there.

RELATED: Detroit Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader takes part in youth camp

Mark Opfermann covers sports for MLive/Muskegon Chronicle. Email him at mopferma@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.