GOTTA SEE IT: Fehervary Training Hard For Sophomore Year With Capitals

Following a strong rookie campaign that saw him take on a top-pairing role for the Washington Capitals, defenseman Martin Fehervary looks ready to come back stronger in his sophomore year — literally.

The Slovak blueliner is back home in Bratislava and has been training at Health & Performance. Fehervary took to social media to share some of the work he’s been doing as he prepares for the upcoming 2022-23 campaign. And it’s impressive.

Fehervary is lifting heavy weights and doing reps, and it looks like he’s emphasizing his strength, something that will help him with his physical game against heavyweight pros. He came in at 6-2, 199 pounds last season, and from the looks of it, he’s adding more bulk and muscle.

(Instagram/health.performance)

The 22-year-old made the NHL jump last season and impressed with a physical, shutdown game, and his strong skating and puck-moving ability served Washington well as he played on the top pairing with John Carlson. Fehervary dished eight goals and nine assists through 79 regular-season games. His 251 hits also ranked seventh among all NHL skaters and second among rookies, and his 19:39 ATOI ranked fifth among all rookie blueliners with at least 43 games played. He also had 117 blocks and a +/- rating of plus-15.

“I feel every game more confident, I’m playing a lot of minutes,” Fehervary said of his season. “I’m really happy for every chance I got, and I’m just trying to do those small things right. Compete, play hard, battle and just trying to do all the time my job. Hard work every day.”

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Although he and Carlson struggled slightly in the playoffs against the Florida Panthers, Fehervary left a good impression and earned high praise after his standout freshman year. He also finished 14th in Calder voting.

“We know him pretty well… he’s kind of been around a lot,” Carlson added of No. 42. “Everyone knew his potential and what he could do. We all see his physical side and his defensive-minded side. But the more and more he gets comfortable, the more and more he’s capable of making high-end plays all over the ice… he’s going to be a heck of a player.”

Heading into next season, Fehervary will be key as the Capitals odds to win the Stanley Cup in 2023 have risen after NHL Free Agency. You can bet on the upcoming season with Virginia Sportsbook.