Washington Capitals: Top Five Draft Steals In Team History
Washington Capitals Draft Steals: Konowalchuk
The Washington Capitals got a very good value in the third round of the 1991 NHL Draft. With the 58th overall pick, the Caps selected forward Steve Konowalchuk, who quickly became a fan favorite in the nation’s capital. In his 13 seasons with the Capitals, Konowalchuk played in 693 games. He had 146 goals and 196 assists, good for 342 points.
"Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Konowalchuk played two years of junior hockey with the WHL’s Portland Winter Hawks. He scored a combined 94 goals and was Washington’s 5th choice, 58th overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. Konowalchuk was voted on to the WHL’s First All-Star Team after scoring 51 goals and 104 points in 1991-92. That year he also suited up for the United States when they won the bronze medal at the 1992 World Junior Championships. In 1992-93, the young pivot split his first full pro season between the Caps and AHL’s Baltimore Skipjacks. He joined Washington on a full-time basis in 1993-94 and became a solid checker and reliable 40-point producer as the fourth centre behind Dale Hunter, Michael Pivonka, Joe Juneau, and Dave Poulin. He gradually worked his way up the ladder and was a crucial part of the team when veterans Hunter and Poulin retired. Konowalchuk’s solid all round game was recognized when he played a game for the U.S. when they won the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996. As the Caps began the 2001-02 season with the addition of superstar Jaromir Jagr, Konowalchuk’s role as a solid two-way forward remained vital to the success of the team. A two-time member of the US World Championship team in 2000 and 2002, Konowalchuk was appointed team captain in 2002-03 and remained as the team’s leader in the early stages of the 2003-04 season, until being dealt to the Colorado Avalanche. – Legends of Hockey"
Next: Number Four: Dmitri Khristich