Top 3 storylines ahead of Capitals Rookie Camp
In one week from now, Washington Capitals training camp will begin. But this Saturday will mark the beginning of Rookie Camp with the first day at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The remainder will take place at McMullen Hockey Arena in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Capitals return to Maryland for the first time since 2018 where they hosted the Stadium Series at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. They also spent time there during the 2014 training camp.
Once upon a time, the Capitals played their home games at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland from 1974 to 1997 before they moved to the MCI Center which is now called Capital One Arena.
Prior to the opening of MedStar Capitals Iceplex which was called Kettler, the Capitals practiced and trained at Piney Orchard Ice Arena in Odenton.
#3 Ashburn represent!
Among the invites attending Capitals Rookie Camp is Ryan Leibold who is a native of Ashburn, Virginia. He also attended Washington’s 2023 Development Camp in July. During his youth he trained at MedStar Capitals Iceplex and was a participant in Washington’s Little Caps program.
Leibold signed an ECHL contract with the South Carolina Stingrays on March 28 where he recorded four points in nine games with a goal and three assists.
#2 Bear necessities
How soon can these kids have success at the professional hockey level even if it’s the minors? If last year was any indication, several!
In fact there were seven Rookie Camp participants last year that went on to appear with the Hershey Bears that season. That includes Hendrix Lapierre, Vincent Iorio, Ethen Frank, Henrik Rybinski, and Clay Stevenson.
Lapierre, Iorio, and Frank all suited in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Iorio recorded the primary assist on Lapierre’s game tying goal in the second period. Frank earned the secondary assist on Mike Vecchione’s Calder Cup clinching goal in overtime.
If you’re a Caps fan, a Bears fan, or both or just a fan who keeps track of the prospects, there’s something in store for you tonight. Monumental Sports Network aka NBC Sports Washington for now for at least six more days, is airing a documentary at 6 p.m.
This documentary will chronicle the Bears incredible Calder Cup run that they did this past summer which is titled “Sweeter by the Dozen”.
Champions for life 🏆
— Monumental Sports Network (@MonSportsNet) September 11, 2023
Watch @TheHersheyBears chase the Calder Cup in ‘Sweeter by the Dozen’ on Monumental Sports Network Thursday at 6:00 PM ET.#ALLCAPS | @Capitals pic.twitter.com/zrmwZ5lCR1
After all, it was the franchise’s 12th Calder Cup. Backstopped by Hunter Shepard, the Bears went 14-6 overall and won a thrilling finals series that took seven games and an overtime.
#1 Draft picks galore
Four picks from the Capitals 2023 NHL Draft class will be attending this year’s Rookie Camp. That includes forwards Andrew Cristall (40th overall), Patrick Thomas (104th overall), Brett Hyland (200th overall) and goaltender Antoine Keller (206th overall).
13 of the 18 participants in this year’s camp are Capitals’ draft picks. Also there are Mitchell Gibson: 124th overall in 2018, Hendrix Lapierre: 22nd overall in 2020, Bogdan Trineyev: 117th overall in 2020, Vincent Iorio: 55th overall in 2021, Garin Bjorklund: 179th overall in 2020, Ivan Miroshnichenko: 20th overall in 2022, Alexander Suzdalev: 70th overall in 2022, Jake Karabela: 149th overall in 2022, and Ryan Hofer: 181st overall in 2022.
Two of Washington’s first round draft picks will be at this year’s camp. Those players are Ivan Miroshnichenko who was last year’s first rounder and Hendrix Lapierre who was selected in the first round in 2020.
This year’s first round pick Ryan Leonard will not be in attendance as he’s currently enrolled and playing hockey at Boston College. Miroshnichenko was selected 20th overall in 2022 and recorded four points with three goals and one assist in 23 games with the Avangard Omsk in the KHL last season. He averaged 8:27 minutes of ice time per game.
light. More. Nic Dowd looks to show reliability
Those are your top 3 storylines going into Rookie Camp. Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the top 3 invites to watch.