Washington Capitals Draft Picks: Breaking down new players
The Washington Capitals made six selections in the 2021 NHL Draft. Four of those selections were defensemen, one was a center while the other was a goaltender. Overall it was another good draft and now we shall take a look and see how the Caps did with each draft pick.
On the second day of the NHL Draft, the Caps selected defenseman Vincent Iorio (55th overall), defenseman Brent Johnson (80th overall), defenseman Joaquim Lemay (119th overall), center Haakon Hanelt (151st overall), defenseman Dru Krebs (176th overall), and goaltender Chase Clark (183rd overall).
Vincent Iorio
Vincent Iorio was ranked 27th among North American defensemen and by NHL Central Scouting. The 18 year old recorded 12 points in 22 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with five goals and seven assists. The six foot three, 191 pound defensemen ranked third among What King defensemen in points this season and his 0.55 points per game was the highest of his three year WHL career.
The Coquitlam, British Columbia, native led Brandon to a WHL Cup gold medal during the 2017-18 season. Additionally, Iorio played two seasons with Shattuck St. Mary’s hockey program which has included former players such as Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, and Zach Parise.
Brent Johnson
Nope not that one. The Caps did however draft another Brent Johnson to help out the defense. This selection came from a trade. The Caps dealt their 75th pick to the New York Rangers for their 80th and 176th picks. The Caps used that 80th pick to draft Johnson.
The five foot 11, 161 pound blue liner was ranked 12th among North American defensemen by NHL Central Scouting. The Dallas native recorded 32 points with 11 goals and 21 assists in 47 games with Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League (USHL) which ranked first among the Stampede in points among defensemen, fifth among USHL defensemen and second among USHL defensemen.
The 18 year old was named to the USHL’s All Rookie Team and the Second All Star Team this season. He is committed to the University of North Dakota next season following the footsteps of T.J. Oshie.
Joaquim Lemay
Joaquim Lemay recorded 10 assists in 15 games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). The 18 year old ranked second among Silverbacks defensemen in points and tied for second among all rookie BCHL defensemen in assists. The St. -Pierre-les-Becquets, Quebec, native is committed to the University of Omaha-Nebraska next season. He is listed at six foot one and 178 pounds.
Haakon Hanelt
Haakon Hanelt was ranked 17th among international centers and 36th among all International forwards by NHL Central Sousing. The 18 year old recorded one goal in 22 games with Eisbaren Berlin in the Destsche Eischockey League (DEL) in the 2020-21 season where he also won the DEL championship. The six foot, 194 pound center also represented Germany as a captain in two international U-18 junior games.
Dru Krebs
Dru Krebs recorded 11 assists in 23 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL which ranked fourth among all Medicine Hat players this season. The 18 year old nearly equaled his 13 point total from the 2019-20 season in 31 fewer games played when he had three goals and 10 assists. The five foot 11, 182 pound defensemen also played one game with the Okotoks Oilers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He is a native of Okotoks, Alberta.
Chase Clark
The Caps rounded out their draft by taking goaltender Chase Clark. The 19 year old primarily played for the Jersey Hitmen of the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL), finishing the season with an 18-2-1 record, three shutouts, a 1.92 goals against average and a .935 save percentage.
More. Washington Capitals got it right drafting Chase Clark. light
The six foot six, 202 pound goaltender helped lead the Hitmen to a Dineen Cup and Jersey earned the NCDC Founders’ Cup as the team with the best regular season record. A native of Williamsville, New York, Clark also played in three games with the Tri City Storm of the USHL. He finished with an 0-3-0 record with a 3.03 goals against average and .899 save percentage.