Cristall PEP 1 The Washington Capitals got quite a bit of news on the prospect front on Wednesday, as Andrew Cristall was traded in a WHL blockbuster while two Hershey Bears were named to the 2025 AHL All-Star Game. In an expected pre-deadline move, the Kelowna Rockets traded Cristall, who was taken in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, to the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for Hayden Paupanekis, a 2025 first and third-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick. Cristall is the second-highest scorer in the WHL with 26 goals and 34 assists for 60 points through just 28 games played, and his 2.14 points-per-game rank first in the league. The 19-year-old is expected to make the pro jump after this season, as he almost made the NHL out of training camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/takes/washington-capitals-andrew-cristall-why-return-juniors] this past year and has shown that he is ready for the next step. Spokane currently ranks second in the WHL and will put Cristall in a good position to enjoy a solid Memorial Cup run, as the Rockets held the fifth-worst record in the league. In other prospect news, Hershey forward Ethen Frank and defenseman Ethan Bear both earned bids to the 2025 AHL All-Star Game on Wednesday, as both were named to the Atlantic Division roster. Frank ranks second in the AHL in goals with 20 on the season, and he has amassed a total of 28 points through 35 games. It marks his third consecutive All-Star Game appearance, and he will also look to break his Fastest Skater record. This is Bear's first AHL All-Star selection. The 26-year-old has six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 31 games and is tied for 10th in scoring among all AHL blueliners. Bear is having a bounceback season and getting his game back on track after dealing with anxiety and depression last year. After time in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Bear said he was feeling a lot better, and it's reflected in his time on and off the ice.
