ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — The Washington Capitals kicked off their player development camp this week for prospects under contract and recent draft picks, headlined by 2023 first-round pick Ryan Leonard.
The Capitals selected Leonard eighth overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft out of Boston College. The forward recorded 31 goals and 29 assists in a season that ended with a national championship loss to Denver University.
When the Capitals made the playoffs at the end of this past regular season, they offered Leonard a contract with the team. Opting not to join the Capitals during their playoff run, Leonard made a decision he described as difficult, to stay with Boston College.
“I didn’t go to sleep until probably three or four in the morning, I had class the next day. I just had no idea what to do,” Leonard said. “My whole plan the whole time was two years and then come here, but I had no idea that they were actually going to offer me It all happened so fast.”
Leonard could join the Capitals again later in the upcoming 2024-25 season, but has expressed that it would be after the Eagles’ season is over.
“I want to be a part of the team that wins Boston College a National Championship and I’m not ready to leave yet,” Leonard said.
2024 first round pick, Terik Parascak, also at camp
Leonard isn’t the only first-round pick present at camp, 2024 first-round draft selection Terik Parascak is also in attendance.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be here and honored to be a Capital now,” Parascak said. “I’m happy with where my game is at right now. There’s plenty of areas I need to improve on if I want to get to that NHL level soon.”
Parascak was the 17th overall pick from the Western Hockey League in Canada. Last season, with the Prince George Cougars, Parascak posted 105 points (43 goals, 62 assists).
Protas family connection
After the Capitals moved up to the 75th pick in the 2024 draft, they selected forward Ilya Protas, the brother of current Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas.
“Special moment for me and my family,” Protas said. “We were so surprised and happy at the same time. An amazing feeling.”
Protas played in the USHL for the Des Moines Buccaneers. After development camp, later in the year, he will join his brother for training camp.
GM MacLellan discusses flurry of offseason moves
The players aren’t the only ones staying busy during the offseason. General manager Brian MacLellan has executed a handful of signings and trades to retool the team. In a span of 15 days in late June and July, MacLellan and the Caps signed seven NHL players, all under 30-years-old.
“I think we’ve been trying to take risks looking for upside in players, trying to find players we think we can create an environment where they’re more successful. That’s been our philosophy,” MacLellan said. “Versus let’s just tank it and go down and try to win the lottery, which is a painful approach to it.”
MacLellan also jovially noted that in response to the Capitals’ offseason activity, Alexander Ovechkin sent him a “thumbs up emoji.”
The Capitals recent acquisitions:
- Forward Pierre-Luc Dubois
- Forward Andrew Mangiapane
- Forward Brandon Duhaime
- Forward Taylor Raddysh
- Defenseman Jakob Chychrun
- Defenseman Matt Roy
- Goaltender Logan Thompson
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