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Washington Capitals: Top 5 Forward Prospects

By Michael Marzzacco

HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 01: Hershey Bears left wing Shane Gersich (10) skates back in the defensive zone during the Springfield Thunderbirds at Hershey Bears on December 1, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HERSHEY, PA - DECEMBER 01: Hershey Bears left wing Shane Gersich (10) skates back in the defensive zone during the Springfield Thunderbirds at Hershey Bears on December 1, 2018 at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Garrett Pilon C

CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 24: Hershey Bears center Garrett Pilon (18) prepares to take a faceoff during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Hershey Bears and Cleveland Monsters on March 24, 2019, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – MARCH 24: Hershey Bears center Garrett Pilon (18) prepares to take a faceoff during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Hershey Bears and Cleveland Monsters on March 24, 2019, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Garrett Pilon was drafted by the Capitals in the third round (87th overall) back in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Long time hockey fans may recognize the last name from watching his father Rich Pilon play for the New York Rangers, Islanders, and St. Louis Blues during his 15 seasons in the NHL.

At the time, Pilon was coming off his first season with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) where he remained for the next season before being traded in the middle of the 2017-18 campaign to the the Everett Silvertips.

Last season Pilon made the jump from the WHL to the AHL where he finished with a respectable 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 71 games for the Hershey Bears. In the Calder Cup playoffs, Pilon had five assists in nine games.

Pilon was sixth on the team in points and there’s nowhere to go but up from here. Think of Pilon like a young Nicklas Backstrom.  Pilon has a a knack for making the quick pass, a great slap shot, and can drive to the net.

Pilon could be battling for a roster spot in the bottom-six this training camp but even if he doesn’t make the Capitals, the Bears will certainly need him for a return trip to the Calder Cup playoffs.

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