Tom Wilson Interview For the second straight year, Washington Capitals forward prospect Andrew Cristall has been snubbed by Team Canada. Despite a record-breaking season in the WHL and attending the country's World Juniors selection camp, Cristall failed to make the 25-man roster for Team Canada. "I'd do anything to play for this country," Cristall said at the conclusion of camp on Friday. Cristall is off to a record-breaking season in his final year of junior hockey, as he has 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points through just 21 games so far. His 2.43 points-per-game rank first in the entire league, and he sits second in points only to Gavin McKenna, who has nine more games under his belt. The 19-year-old almost made the Capitals roster out of training camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-andrew-cristall-why-return-juniors] but was sent back to juniors in the final round of cuts. Washington wanted him to continue to develop and exceed expectations in the WHL while playing top-6 minutes and getting more responsibility, rather than making the full-time jump and likely spending time as a healthy scratch or playing a limited role due to little vacancy on the big club. Toronto Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] prospect Easton Cowan, Philadelphia Flyers prospect Jett Luchanko and Winnipeg Jets prospect Brayden Yager are among the junior players who made the cut. The World Junior Championship will take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson both look primed to play for Team USA and if they make it, will be the only other Capitals prospects representing their countries with Cristall cut. This isn't the first snub that the Capitals have experienced this season; despite leading the Eastern Conference and owning the NHL's best points percentage, no Washington players were selected for the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/news/washington-capitals-4-nations-face-off-no-representation].
