The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Ryan Chesley to a three year entry level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season. His contract will carry an average annual value of $923,333 at the NHL level and $82,500 in the AHL.
The 21 year old was selected by the Capitals in the second round at 37th overall in the 2022 NHLDraft. He signed an amateur tryou agreement with the Hershey Bears for the remainder of the 2024-25 season on April 2.
Chesley has recorded three points with one goal and two assists in four games with Hershey. He joined the Bears after playing three seasons at the University of Minnesota where he recorded 38 points with 12 goals and 26 assists and a +34 plus/minus rating in 115 games.
In 2024-25 Chesley served as one of the team's captains and recorded a career high 20 points with eight goals and 12 assists. His eight goals ranked second among Golden Gopher defensemen while his 20 points rank tied for second.
Chesley also led the team in blocked shots with 73. He was named to the All Big Ten Honorable Mention Team and helped Minnesota to a share of the Big Ten Hockey Championship and a fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
During his sophomore campaign in 2023-24 Chesley recorded eight points with two goals and six assists in 36 games and led Minnesota in blocked shots with 76. The six foot one, 205 pound defenseman was named to the 2023-24 All Big Ten Second Team.
As a freshman in 2022-23 Chesley registered 10 points with two goals and eight assists in 36 games and appeared in all four of Minnesota's NCAA Tournament games as the Golden Gophers reached the National Championship game.
Chesley recorded an assist in the national semifinal versus Boston University and posted a plus one plus/minus rating in the title game against Quinnipiac.
A native of Mahtomedi, Minneota, he has twice represented the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championships winning a bronze medal in 2023 and a gold medal in 2024. Chesley served as an alternate captain at the 2024 tournament where he averaged 21:01 of ice time and recorded four points in seven contests with a goal and three assists.
In Team USA's gold medal clinching victory over Sweden, Chesley logged 25:16 of ice time and posted a +2 plus/minus rating.