Capitals Prospects
Ivan Miroshnichenko Update: Capitals Prospect Back Practicing With Omsk
Ivan Miroshnichenko took a major step forward in his recovery, as the top Washington Capitals prospect was back on the ice on Friday to practice with Avangard Omsk.
Miroshnichenko will play at some point this season and has been skating on his own and making individual progress. However, he needs to be medically cleared before jumping back into game action. Friday was a good sign.
Here he is on the ice, in high spirits as he takes a break to say hi to fans watching on social media.
(Instagram/omsk_wings)
The 18-year-old had battled Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a diagnosis he received in March. He underwent treatment and chemotherapy, and though his season was interrupted, he still interviewed with the Capitals as a top 2022 draft prospect. The team, after speaking with the medical staff, took Miroshnichenko 20th overall in what could be the steal of the draft. Prior to his diagnosis, Miroshnichenko had been considered a top-10 pick.
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Assistant general manager Ross Mahoney said that his skill and scoring ability, as well as his character, made him an easy selection for the club.
“He was always [a] captain… Probably an indicator of his character. I remember seeing him at the u18 world championships in Germany. He was there to do another round of chemo. He had no hair, his blue jeans looked like they were just sort of hanging on his hips. Didn’t look good at all and I talked to him there,” Mahoney said. “We obviously interviewed him after that and then interviewed him at the draft. I think he’s a really strong character. He went through an awful lot but I think it speaks volumes of his character and the type of person he is.”
Miroshnichenko went into remission and got back on the ice this summer. He has added a lot of his weight and strength back while also skating on his own and with his father. The plan for him is to play out his contract with Omsk before coming over to North America. That deal will end in 2024.
Overall, it’s a good sign for the Capitals, who are looking to Miroshnichenko to make an impact and potentially be a future core member of the team when the Alex Ovechkin comes to an end.
“Great pick,” captain Alex Ovechkin said of the youngster. “He’s one of the young players who can be a superstar.”
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