The Capitals prospect will be a black ace for the Bears.
Following a record-setting year in the WHL, Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall will get some pro experience and be a part of the Hershey Bears' 2024 Calder Cup Playoff run.
Cristall has been assigned from the Kelowna Rockets to Hershey following the end of his junior campaign, as he and the Rockets fell to fellow prospect Zac Funk's Prince George's Cougars in the postseason.
The 19-year-old, who went 40th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, put up 40 goals and 71 assists for 111 points in 62 games with Kelowna this season. He finished fifth in the WHL in scoring and points per game during the regular season, and in the playoffs, he was tied for the team lead in points with 15 through 11 games.
Washington was taken aback and impressed by Cristall's year, as he proved he was the right pick to make in the second round.
He is known for his impressive hockey IQ and stickhandling ability, as well as his wicked shot and playmaking. His skating has also gotten better, but there are areas of his game that need to continue to improve as he looks to make the pro jump down the road.
Cristall will be a black ace for Hershey as it looks to defend its Calder Cup title, and the experience will be a meaningful one for the 5-foot-10, 167-pound forward. At the very least, time in practice and watching how the Bears go about their run will be vital as he looks to eventually make the pro jump down the stretch.