A.J. Michaelson thought he would be at Wild development camp this week. He received an invitation and was listed on the roster. On-ice practices began Tuesday at the X.

But he's not there.

Instead, Michaelson, who will be a freshman forward for the Gophers this coming season was told by coaches he has to take care of his schoolwork first.

He has two summer school classes in the morning and then a 90-minute tutoring session after lunch.

Michaelson, who was not drafted, did not let other key people besides his coaches know that he was invited to the Wild camp until late last week.

"The academic people were upset about that," said Jeff Michaelson, A.J.'s father.

His coaches wound up telling him not to be miss any classes or tutoring, Jeff Michaelson said, adding that his son was unhappy hearing that.

"It was their call and they were doing what was best for him," Jeff Michaelson said. "[A.J.] should have told everyone earlier. He was a little too late."

All Gophers players, including incoming freshman, usually take summer school classes to ease their academic workload during the college hockey season.

And, typically, players miss school time for NHL prospects camp all the time. Erik Haula, who will be a junior center this season, is participating in the Wild camp. The Wild drafted him in the seventh round in 2009.

Last week, forwards Nick Bjugstad and Kyle Rau, two other NHL draft picks, were at the Florida Panthers' camp. And so on.

Michaelson, 18, of Apple Valley, is a 6-foot, 185-pound forward with speed. He played for Waterloo last season. In 63 USHL games, he had six goals and 14 assists for 20 points.