The Hockey Writers gives an update of Washington Capitals prospects below. Forwards Stanislav Gailev, Andre Burakovsky and Chandler Stephenson continue to impress in their prospective leagues.
ECHL
Stanislav Galiev: After a 47 point rookie season in which he was the top rookie on the Reading Royals, Washington’s third round draft selection from the 2010 NHL entry draft is off to a torrid start in the East Coast Hockey League. The Moscow native already has 11 points in his first nine games, along with 35 shots on goal. He totaled 23 goals and 24 assists with 172 shots on goal last season. He has six points in his last four games, including a two point night on November 9th.
Michal Cajkovsky: After spending two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), the 21 year old Slovakian native has begun his first professional hockey season. He was sent to the Reading Royals after training camp and has made a good impression on the blue line. Cajkovsky is tied for the team lead in points by defenseman (5), through seven games. He has assists in three straight games.
Patrick Wey: Also a rookie defenseman like Cajkovsky, this Boston College product is playing his first season in the pros with Reading. He has three points in eight games this season, including a two game point streak earlier this season. Wey was reassigned to the Hershey Bears on Monday, following an injury to Hershey defenseman Tomas Kundratek.
Brandon Anderson: This is the third goalie on an NHL contract in the Washington Capitals organization that isn’t currently in the National Hockey League. He’s played second fiddle to Reading Royals starting goalie Riley Gill, but is 2-1 with a 1.68 goals against average and .923 save percentage through three games this season.
AHL
| Player | YTD (Year to Date) |
|---|---|
| Garrett Mitchell | 2 A, .18 PT/G, 17 SOG, 22 PIM |
| Nathan Walker | 1 G, 2 A, .38 PT/G, 22 SOG, 9 PIM |
| Connor Carrick | 4 A, .44 PT/G, 12 SOG, 6 PIM |
| Cameron Schilling | 2 A, .18 PT/G, 10 SOG, 14 PIM |
| Tomas Kundratek | 1 G, .14 PT/G, 10 SOG, 6 PIM |
Philipp Grubauer: The German native earned back to back starts in his first full season in the AHL, picking up a shootout win on Saturday, but couldn’t pick up the win in the shootout Sunday night. He’s 2-3-1 on the year with a 2.71 goals against average and .904 save percentage through six games this season. Grubauer posted a .919 save percentage last season.
Cameron Schilling: This shutdown defenseman has spent time with veteran Tyson Strachan on the Hershey Bears’ blue line, along with earning a key role on the penalty kill. He made some great plays in Hershey’s Sunday night shootout loss, making key blocks on defense along with an assist to help the Bears’ comeback hopes.
“He’s a shutdown guy for us,” Hershey Bears head coach Mike Haviland said of Schilling’s role. “He’s a guy that’s going to have to play against their team’s best forwards. He’s coming into his own I think, he has to understand his limitations and what he’s going to be when he moves forward in his career.”
“He’s going to be a guy that’s on the PK and a guy who’s got to really defend well and make that first pass. I think he’s getting better and better as we go along here, he’s a big man and moves very well.”
Tomas Kundratek: This Capitals prospect has only one point since his return from the Capitals after training camp and has been a healthy scratch a few times this season. He sustained an injury Sunday night and will be reevaluated. Kundratek was paired with veteran blue liner David Kolomatis this past weekend.
CHL
| Player | Team | YTD (Year to Date) |
|---|---|---|
| Andre Burakovsky | Erie Otters (OHL) | 15 G (6 PPG), 10 A, 1.39 PT/G |
| Blake Heinrich | Sioux City Muskateers (USHL) | 2 G (1 PPG), 2 A (1 PPA) , .33 PT/G, 23 SOG |
| Brian Pinho | Indiana Ice (USHL) | 3 G (1 SHG) , 5 A (1 PPA), .66 PT/G, 28 SOG |
| Chandler Stephenson | Regina Pats (WHL) | 8 G (2 PPG,3 SHG), 15 A, 1.15 PT/G, +10 |
| Garrett Haar | Portland Winterhawks (WHL) | 2 G (1 PPG), 12 A, .67 PT/G, +16 |
| Jaynen Rissling | Calgary Hitmen (WHL) | 5 G (4 PPG), 11 A, .8 PT/G, 36 PIM |
| Madison Bowey | Kelowna Rockets (WHL) | 6 G (2 PPG), 12 A, 1 PT/G, +15, 31 PIM |
| Tyler Lewington | Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL) | 3 G, 8 A, .65 PT/G, +12, 40 PIM |
| Zach Sanford | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) | 5 G (1 PPG), 4 A (3 PPA), .69 PT/G, 42 SOG |
Andre Burakovsky: Washington’s first round pick from this past NHL draft is fourth on a talented list of scorers for the Erie Otters in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) through 18 games. He has seven points in his last five games, along with a current nine game point streak.
Chandler Stephenson: “Chandler Stephenson is facing a possible suspension after receiving a five-minute major and game misconduct for a hit to the head in Sunday’s contest” [Leader-Post]
Madison Bowey: This defenseman is ninth in WHL scoring for blue liners and has five points to start November.
“It’s nice to get the first two games under my belt, so now I can settle in and get to know my role, and be a leader for our team,” said Bowey of being name Captain.. “It’s such an honour to be captain, a lot of great guys have come before so it’s a dream come true. I always hoped I could lead this team one day, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.” [Kelowna Capital News]
NCAA
| Player | Year | Team | YTD (Year to Date) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Wuthrich | Junior | Notre Dame University | 2 G (2 PPG), 3 A, .5 PT/G, 25 SOG, .080 SH % |
| Caleb Herbert | Junior | University of Minnesota Duluth | 2 G, 3 A, .625 PT/G, 22 SOG, .095 SH %, 31 PIM |
| Patrick Koudys | Junior | Pennsylvania State University | 1 A, 6 SOG, 4 PIM, -2 |
| Riley Barber | Sophomore | Miami University of Ohio | 8 G (3 PPG/2 SHG), 6 A, 1.75 PT/G, .195 SH % |
| Thomas DiPauli | Sophomore | Notre Dame University | 1 G, .2 PT/G, 12 SOG, .083 SH %, 6 PIM |
| Travis Boyd | Junior | Minnesota University | 2 G (1 PPG), 2 A, .5 PT/G, 29 SOG, .069 SV% |
You can follow Matthew on twitter @m_speck and email him at mspeck21@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.
Matthew Speck covers the Washington Capitals organization for The Hockey Writers. He provides coverage of both Washington at the NHL level and prospect related content. Matthew also covers local sports for the Lebanon Daily News in Central Pennsylvania. You can email him at mspeck21@yahoo.com with any questions or comments.
