The Washington Capitals rookies were back on the ice for Rookie Camp 2024. Here are some more prospects to watch for this upcoming season.
Collin MacKenzie: A free agent invitee from Ottawa, the six foot 175 pound goaltender posted a record of 14-11-2 with a 3.05 goals against average, a .901 save percentage, and one shutout in 31 appearances with the Ottawa 67's of the OHL in 2023-24. During the 2022-23 season, MAcKenzie ranked first among OHL goaltenders in goals against average with a 1.88 goals against and a save percentage of .928. He additionally recorded a career high 21 wins. In 69 career OHL games with Ottawa, MacKenzie has a record of 39-13-5 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .907 save percentage along with two shutouts.
Eriks Mateiko: He was drafted by Washington in the third round at 90th overall in this year's NHL Draft. The 18 year old recorded 43 points with 23 goals and 20 assists in 49 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the QMJHL in 2023-24. The six foot five, 208 pound forward served as an alternate captain for Saint John and led the team in goals and ranked tie dfor first in power play goals with six and second in points.
Mateiko is a native of Jelgava, Latvia and he represented his country at the 2024 World Junior Championship where he recorded one goal in five games. He was also the captain of Latvia at the 2023 Under 18 Wolrd Championshp and finished the tournament with two points in five games.
Leon Muggli: He was drafted in the second round at 52nd overall in this year's NHL Draft and the 17 year old spent the 2023-24 season with EV Zug of the Swiss National League where he led all under 18 skaters with 12 points in 42 games. His 12 points were the most ever by a defenseman age 17 or younger in league history. He additionally addded two points with a goal and an assist in 11 playoff games last season.
In addition, Muggli represented Switzerland at the 2024 World Junior Championship and the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. In addition, Muggli captained Team Switzerland to a gold medal at the 2023 European Youth Olympics where he was named the best defenseman of the tournament after tallying four points with a goal and three assists in four games.