For a handful of the Washington Capitals' prospects, the start of the 2024-25 season couldn't be going better.
From Ivan Miroshnichenko to Andrew Cristall to Patrick Thomas and Cole Hutson, here are some updates on key rising Capitals who are making quite the impression and putting themselves on the radar.
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Frank & Miroshnichenko Leading Hershey Bears; Russian Shows Capitals Exactly What They Want To See
Like Washington, Hershey opened its regular season on Saturday and played again on Sunday, and Ethen Frank and Ivan Miroshnichenko made quite the impression in their first games of the season after falling short of winning a roster spot at camp.
Frank picked up three goals in the Bears' opener, leading the way in a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday. He was skating on the top line left wing and prominent offensively, using his speed and shot to his advantage. Frank also picked up an assist in the second game and showed D.C. that he should remain in the loop for a call-up.
Then, on Sunday, it was Miroshnichenko's turn to shine. The 20-year-old, who started on the third line, ended up logging some important minutes and recorded his first AHL hat trick in what turned out to be a 6-3 loss. He provided all of the offense for Hershey and showed the Capitals exactly what they hoped to see from his reassignment: plenty of opportunity and goals, along with time on the power play.
Miroshnichenko will be back in the NHL in no time when there's space for him, but for now, the goal is to light up the AHL, and Miroshnichenko's in good shape there.
Related: Carbery Brutally Honest After Rough Opener For Third Line, Says He Was 'Trying To Help Them' With Decision To Bench Trio
Cristall Dominating Return To WHL, Thomas Looks Strong In OHL
Andrew Cristall made it until the bitter end of Capitals camp with the hope that he would win a roster spot and stay in the NHL to start the year, but ultimately, Washington sent him back to juniors, knowing it would be more beneficial for him to return to the WHL and dominate rather than being a scratch at the highest level.
Cristall didn't just benefit from the loan back to juniors; he dominated it, which is the plan as he's not yet eligible to play AHL hockey.
The 19-year-old, who's wearing an "A" this season, was a force to be reckoned with for the Kelowna Rockets in his first game back, picking up a goal and four assists while skating on the top line with Tij Iginla and Max Graham. Cristall was fast, had the puck on a string and won key battles all over the ice, and even got chippy as the game went on in an eventual 9-4 win over the Portland Winterhawks.
He wasn't the only Capitals prospect to record five points in one game this season at the CHL level; Patrick Thomas posted a goal and four assists on two different occasions to open this season with the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs and is up to 12 points through seven games played so far.
Cole Hutson's NCAA Debut Going According To Plan, Ryan Leonard Picks Up Where He Left Off
Cole Hutson, the Capitals' second-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, is continuing to master his craft as an offensive defenseman at Boston University, and his start with the Terriers has packed plenty of promise.
Hutson has a goal and assist through two games so far and is a plus-1. He's been moving the puck well out of his zone and also hopping up in the rush, as evident from his milestone first goal and assist. Like his brother, he's not afraid to lead the charge, and he's going to continue developing into something special for D.C.
Ryan Leonard is also back in action with Boston College after making the difficult decision to play one more year of NCAA hockey before going pro, and he has a goal and assist through two games.
Another college standout so far has been Ryan Chesley, who had two goals this weekend for Minnesota and continues to showcase his impressive skating and shot.
Related: How Pierre-Luc Dubois Stacked Up In His Capitals Debut & What Spencer Carbery Thought
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