The Washington Capitals made six selections in the 2023 NHL Draft. Let’s learn more about the new kids on the block.
Ryan Leonard: Taken in the first round at number eight overall, this pick was a home run for general manager Brian MacLellan and assistant general manager Ross Mahoney. He’s already an American star having scored the game winning goal to give Team USA the gold medal. So getting drafted by Washington was the second best moment for the kid.
Washington Capitals first round pick, Ryan Leonard, slept in his @Capitals jersey the night after getting drafted! @BC_MHockey @CapitalsPR #ALLCAPS
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) July 4, 2023
More tonight at 11pm on @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/hpp5eCNKVr
Andrew Cristall: The left wing was taken in the second round at 40th overall. He was projected by many to get selected in the first round so he naturally fell into the Caps laps in round two. He was a stud on the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League leading the team in goals with 39 as well as assists and points.
Patrick Thomas: The center was taken at 104th overall in the fourth round. The 18 year old recorded 56 points with 17 goals and 39 assists in 66 games with the Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs.
Cam Allen: Allen was taken at 136th overall in the fifth round. He was ranked 12th among North American defenseman and 46th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Brett Hyland: The center was taken in the final round at 200th overall. He recorded a career high 47 points in 42 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings with 26 goals and 21 assists. He served as an alternate captain for Brandon this past season.
Antoine Keller: You can’t end a good draft without taking a goalie and the Caps did exactly that when they traded their seventh rounder next year with the San Jose Sharks for an extra seventh rounder and the 206th overall pick.
Overall this was another solid draft by the Caps. We probably won’t see these kids in the varsity lineup this year but it’s all about the future.