Washington Capitals: 2019 expectations for Brian Pinho

Brian Pinho had the best performance out of all the Washington Capitals rookies in their prospect showcase.

The Washington Capitals finished the prospect showcase with a 1-1-1 record and several prospects had a great performance during the round robin tournament but none was more impressive than Brian Pinho.

Pinho scored in two of the three games as a top-six forward on the second line next to Shane Gersich and Connor McMichael. The young, speedy line was a factor in each game and Pinho’s play as a result, made Gerisch and McMichael play better developing a solid chemistry on a future line we might see some day.

Pinho had a pair of goals and an assist in Washington’s 10-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in the first game of the prospect showcase.

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Pinho added a goal in the Capitals 3-2 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on Sunday. In Tuesday’s 7-2 defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pinho assisted on Alex Kannock-Leipert’s goal. Overall, Pinho finished the rookie tournament with two goals and three assists for five points.

Pinho was drafted by the Capitals in the sixth round at 174th overall in the 2013 NHL Draft out of St. John’s Prep. The right winger posted 57 points (20 goals, 37 assists) in 24 games during the 2011-12 season and followed that up with 36 points (12 goals, 24 assists) in 21 games prior to his selection.

Pinho spent the next season in the USHL with the Indiana Ice where he scored 28 goals and 28 assists in 59 games (56 points). He then decided to continue his education and spent four seasons with Providence College. He was named assistant captain his junior year before getting the coveted “C” patch his senior year.

That junior season was Pinho’s best season at Providence. After recording 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) and 25 (9 goals, 16 assists) his first two years, Pinho had a breakout season with a career-high 28 assists to go with 12 goals for 40 points in 39 games.

Pinho added 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in his senior year. He was the second-highest goal scorer at Providence that season.

Additionally, Pinho was named Hockey East’s Best Defensive Forward and was selected to the Third All Star Team. He finished his college career with 115 points (39 goals, 76 assists) in 156 games.

The 24-year old got his first taste of AHL action last season where he finished with 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) in 73 regular season games and added a goal and assist in the Calder Cup playoffs. He’ll look for a strong sophomore season coming up in Chocolatetown.