Top 3 undrafted invites to watch at Capitals Rookie Camp
Everyone knows who the Washington Capitals prospects are that will be participating in Rookie Camp. We’ll have a top 3 of that version coming out later. But what about those who were invited to join in? This is the article for you because we will look at the top 3.
Overall, the Caps invited six of them. One hails from Ashburn, Virginia. Others were also undrafted players that are not giving up on their NHL dreams. If you’re looking to come watch, here’s the schedule.
Let’s meet who we believe will be the top 3 to watch:
#3 Jon McDonald
Jon McDonald is a defenseman who recently signed with the South Carolina Stingrays, the Caps ECHL affiliate.
Here’s what the Caps Rookie Camp guide said about him:
McDonald led UMass-Lowell in assists (17) and led the team’s defensemen in points (20) in 35 games played during the 2022-23 season. McDonald, who served as team captain, was named to the Hockey East Third All-Star Team and was voted the Defensive Player of the Year by his teammates for the fourth-straight season. The Livonia, Michigan native finished his collegiate career with 62 points (10g, 52a) in 145 games. McDonald, who signed with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) for the 2023-24 season on Aug. 3, recorded three assists in 10 games with the Toledo Walleye in 2022-23.
#2 Adam McCormick
Adam McCormick is another defenseman who is from Woodstock, New Brunswick.
The Caps Rookie Camp guide said the following:
McCormick recorded 24 points (7g, 17a) in 26 games with the University of New Brunswick (USports) in 2022-23. McCormick led Reds’ defensemen in goals and ranked second among the team’s blueliners in points and tied for second in assists. Along with fellow Capitals Rookie Camp attendee Connor Hall, McCormick captured the 2023 University Cup with the University of New Brunswick in March. In 262 career Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) games with the Cape Breton Eagles and Acadie-Bathurst Titan from 2016-21, McCormick recorded 152 points (29g, 123a).
Seven goals for a defenseman is pretty good. Usually defensemen don’t score that many goals. Some score way more like Mike Green and John Carlson.
What makes McCormick unique is that he has a two way game. He also added six assists in seven playoff games for the University of New Brunswick. That was good enough to capture the University Cup.
#1 Ryan Leibold
I live in Ashburn so this is the guy I’m rooting for the most. Ryan Leibold is from Ashburn too. Not only is he an invite but he’s also no stranger to the organization and the facility. He trained at MedStar Capitals Iceplex during his youth and participated in the Little Caps program.
Here’s more on Leibold from the Rookie Camp guide:
Leibold, who transferred to Merrimack College after playing for four years at the College of the Holy Cross, recorded 12 points (5g, 7a) in 38 games in 2022-23. The 5’10”, 194-pound forward ranked fifth on Merrimack in shots (65), seventh in blocked shots (29) and tied for eighth in goals. Leibold signed an ECHL contract with the South Carolina Stingrays on March 28, where he recorded four points (1g, 3a) in nine games. The Ashburn, Virginia native trained at MedStar Capitals Iceplex during his youth and was a participant in Washington’s Little Caps program.
He is the lone forward on this top 3 list and a center to be exact. Instead of looking at his recent numbers, let’s look at his numbers from the Little Caps program. In addition to the Little Caps he played high school hockey at Stone Bridge, the same high school Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen went to.
At 18 U with the Little Caps he combined for 35 goals and 31 assists for 66 points.
light. Related Story. Top 3 storylines ahead of Capitals Rookie Camp
Those are your top 3 invites to watch at Capitals Rookie Camp. We’ll be back soon with the top 3 Capitals prospects to watch.