Washington Capitals Training Camp Player Profile: Aaron Ness
Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
With training camps around the NHL now just around the corner and Washington Capitals players beginning to trickle into the Kettler Iceplex from their respective off-season activities, it’s time to get acquainted with some of the lesser known players that will be battling for roster spots in 2015-2016. As we’re all encouraged by the addition of Nicklas Backstrom making his return to the ice, there’s another player that caught my attention as well.
More from Capitals News
- Breaking down the Rookie Camp roster
- Hear what Magic Johnson said about Alex Ovechkin
- Capitals announce Rookie Camp schedule
- Breaking down the 2023-24 Capitals national TV schedule
- Capitals Alumni Weekend is coming back
Defenseman Aaron Ness, formerly of the New York Islanders and their affiliate AHL team the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, signed with the Washington Capital over the summer while most were focused on new additions T.J. Oshie and Justin Williams. For Ness, it’s the first time being traded in professional hockey as he’s been one of the Islander’s top prospects since 2008 where he was selected early in the 2nd Round, 40th overall.
At 25 years old, Ness is both too old to be considered a prospect anymore and has already made his NHL debut, but that doesn’t mitigate the fact that he’s a rapidly developing, promising looking defenseman in the ever-growing Washington Capitals blue line bunch. The 5’11”, 187-pound defenseman comes to us after captaining the Sound Tigers to 28 Wins in the AHL’s tough Northeast Division. He finished second on the team in Assists (37) and third on the team in Points (45). As his box cars stats show below, it’s the best season he’s had yet. Why then, was he moved from the Islanders in the off-season?
Ness has played in 29 NHL games so far in his career. His first call-up with the New York Islanders in the 2011-2012 season was largely unproductive as far as the score sheet is concerned. His second tour in 2012-2013, this time for 20 games, wasn’t a great deal better. Aaron picked up his first NHL goal and two assists in that span, but the following season left him in Bridgeport. That time appears to be very well spent. After all, Ness was named an AHL All-Star in 2014-2015.
Developing into the pro ranks is extraordinarily difficult. Few make the jump successfully, but Ness will definitely be one to watch in training camp this year with the Washington Capitals. Those who have watched him throughout his career have given him some pretty glowing accolades. Hockey’s Future said this of the new Washington Capitals blueliner:
"Ness is an intelligent, instinctive offensive defenseman who has quick hands, tremendous speed and great on-ice vision. He is a fierce competitor who has the ability to make those around him better. His skating combines quick feet with smooth strides, great acceleration and can get up to speed very quickly. Ness also possesses the ability to make plays at high speeds – a quality that isn’t commonly seen in high school defensemen. Ness utilizes his speed and quickness quite well on both sides of the puck."
If a couple of other Washington Capitals defensemen came to your mind while reading that synopsis; you’re not alone. The comments about quarterbacking a power play remind me of praise that’s been noted of former Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green. His proficiency with the puck and ability to shoot reminds me of Dmitry Orlov on paper. While Ness’ possession numbers haven’t been very strong thus far at the NHL level (47.2% Corsi For over the 2013-2014 season), there are lots of signs pointing to him making improvements in leaps and bounds during his last season with the Sound Tigers.
Ness got an opportunity to show off his high hockey IQ and tremendous speed and positioning while he was mic’d up with the Sound Tigers along with fellow teammate and current New York Islanders big gun Brock Nelson. Check out his work ethic during one of their practice sessions.
The bottom pairing on the Capitals will probably be comprised of Nate Schmidt and Dmitry Orlov. While we will have to wait and see if the progress on Orlov’s wrist injury is as far along as we’re all hoping, I feel pretty good about ferreting away Ness from the Islanders as a prospective backup. Taylor Chorney, formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins will likely be his closest competition as the Washington Capitals 7th defenseman. Battles like these make training camp so worth while to follow as fans that you can’t help but root for both of these guys to catch air under their NHL wings.
Come on, hockey. You’re almost here. I’m ready to start cheering for this guy as he tries to make the Washington Capitals.