The Washington Capitals announced on Monday morning two moves. First they signed defenseman David Gucciardi to a two year entry level contract beginning next season. They also announced Ryan Chesley will sign an ATO with the Hershey Bears.
More on Gucciardi and Chesley
Gucciardi was Washington's seventh round pick in 2022. His contract will carry an average annual value or AAV of $855,000 at the NHL level and $82,500 in the AHL. He is expected to sign an amateur tryout agreement with the Hershey Bears for this season.
The Capitals selected the 22 year old at 213th overall in 2022. Gucciardi recorded career highs in goals with six, assists with 10, and points with 16. He also had a career high plus/minus of +21 as well as 88 shots in 37 games with Michigan State this season.
The fourth year senior ranked second on the Spartans in plus/minus. third in blocked shots with 39, and tied for first among the team's defensemen in goals. The six foot one, 200 pound blueliner helped Michigan State claim their second straight Big Ten Conference Tournament title and earn its second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.
Gucciardi is a native of Toronto, Ontario and has recorded eight points with two goals and six assists in 30 games during his junior season in 2023-24, leading Michigan State in penalty minutes with 47 and ranking second on the team in blocked shots with 46.
His second goal of the season came in Michigan State's 5-4 overtime victory over Western Michigan in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Gucciardi would appear in 36 games with the Spartans in 2022-23, registering 10 points with four goals and six assists.
Gucciardi co led the Spartans in game winning goals with three and ranked tied for second among Michigan State defensemen in goals. As a freshman in 2021-22, he played in all 36 of Michigan State's games and recorded 11 points with five goals and six assists. His five goals as a freshman led first year players at Michigan State.
In 139 career games at Michigan State, Gucciardi recorded 45 points with 17 goals and 28 assists, 154 penalty minutes and a +14 plus/minus rating.
Prior to atending Michigan State, Gucciardi played two seasons in the USHL from 2019 to 2021 and resgistered 33 points with 10 goals and 23 assists in 68 games with Waterloo, Youngstown, Sioux City and Muskegon.
As for Ryan Chesley, he will sign an ATO contract with the Bears later this week. He is expected to sign a three year NHL entry level contract at a later date.