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Washington Capitals: Top 5 Defensemen Prospects

ByMichael Marzzacco|
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Alexander Alexeyev

DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Alexander Alexeyev poses after being selected thirty-first overall by the Washington Capitals during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Alexander Alexeyev was drafted in the first round one summer ago at the 31st pick in the draft. The St. Petersburg, Russia native came off an impressive 37 points (7 goals, 30 assists) in 45 WHL games for the Red Deer Rebels.

The Capitals signed Alexeyev to a three-year, entry-level contract on September 24. He remained in the WHL last season and his numbers improved to 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) in 49 games, a WHL career-best. He also scored six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in seven games for Team Russia in the World Junior Championships in their run to the Bronze Medal.

VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 5: Dmitri Samorukov #5 and Alexander Alexeyev #4 of Russia celebrates after defeating Switzerland in the Bronze Medal game of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on January, 5, 2019 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC – JANUARY 5: Dmitri Samorukov #5 and Alexander Alexeyev #4 of Russia celebrates after defeating Switzerland in the Bronze Medal game of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on January, 5, 2019 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

The only damper on this season was the injury bug from the early and late season. The first injury was one he quickly recovered from despite a severe hit to the boards. He was listed as day-to-day. The second one was worse.

Alexeyev’s season came to an end a little too soon when he injured his knee on March 9. The injury ended his WHL season but the good news is that he’s back in Arlington in attendance for Development Camp. This comes in the wake of Alexeyev rehabbing his injury with the Hershey Bears as their season was still in action. 

It’s a welcome sign for Capitals fans that Alexeyev is back on the MedStar ice and the likelihood is high regarding Alexeyev being ready in time for Hershey’s Opening Night.

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