Capitals Rookie Camp Primer: Top Names To Watch, Schedule & How To Follow Along

ARLINGTON, V.A. — The Washington Capitals are kicking off their annual rookie camp on Saturday at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, and for the first time in years, they will be playing out of Annapolis as the prospects spend the majority of the camp at McMullen Hockey Arena.

Here's everything to know ahead of camp.

Washington will host 21 skaters (11 forwards, six defensemen, four goaltenders), including three members of the Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears and four picks from this year's NHL draft.

Ivan Miroshnichenko is perhaps the top name to watch going into rookie camp. The 19-year-old terminated his KHL deal early to begin pursuing his NHL dream, and he's expected to make waves in his first pro year in North America. Miroshnichenko said at development camp, where he was among the standouts thanks to his lethal shot and scoring prowess, that his sights are set on a Capitals roster spot.

Hendrix Lapierre is also hoping that he can impress head coach Spencer Carbery and win a spot out of training camp. He had 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 60 games as an AHL rookie with Hershey last season, and he also had the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals. He's determined to get a taste of the pros once again following a six-game stint up with the big club in 2021.

Vincent Iorio and Henrik Rybinski, who were housemates with Lapierre and also spent their first full season together in Hershey, are also hoping to make their mark. Iorio is expected to get more NHL ice time this season after making his debut last year, while Washington also sees plenty of promise in Rybinski after signing him as a free agent.

2023 selections Andrew Cristall, Brett Hyland, Patrick Thomas and Antoine Keller will also be attending. Cristall was the first pick from this year's class to sign his entry-level deal, and he has been skating with the club for the last few weeks at informal workouts. Hyland, who missed the on-ice part of development camp this summer, will skate with the team for the first time.

Other standouts to watch include Alexander Suzdalev, who appears to be making the jump to the pros following his time with the WHL's Regina Pats, as well as Ryan Hofer and Bogdan Trineyev.

Here's the full roster:

Forwards: Andrew Cristall, Ryan Hofer, Brett Hyland, Jake Karabela, Hendrix Lapierre, Ryan Leibold, Ivan Miroshnichenko, Henrik Rybinski, Alexander Suzdalev, Patrick Thomas, Bogdan Trineyev

Defensemen: Connor Hall, Vincent Iorio, Nick Leivermann, Adam McCormick, Jon McDonald, Spencer Meier

Goaltenders: Garin Bjorklund, Mitchell Gibson, Antoine Keller, Clay Stevenson

Saturday, Sept. 16

11:30 a.m. - Goalies on ice (MedStar Capitals Iceplex)

12-1:15 p.m. - Practice (MedStar Capitals Iceplex)

Sunday, Sept. 17

9 a.m. - Goalies on ice (McMullen Hockey Arena)

9:30-10:45 a.m. - Practice (McMullen Hockey Arena)

Monday, Sept. 18

9 a.m. - Goalies on ice (McMullen Hockey Arena)

9:30-10:45 a.m. - Practice (McMullen Hockey Arena)

Tuesday, Sept. 19

9 a.m. - Goalies on ice (McMullen Hockey Arena)

9:30-10:45 a.m. - Practice (McMullen Hockey Arena)

Washington's rookie camp will be open to the public and free to attend in both Arlington and Annapolis. The Hockey News will also provide all the updates live from camp here at The Hockey News: Capitals site, on X @sammisilber and @capitals_thn and on Instagram @thn_capitals.