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Capitals Release Rookie Camp Roster, Schedule; Key Names To Watch

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Capitals prospect Hendrix Lapierre

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Washington Capitals hockey will officially begin to return on Thursday as the team’s top prospects take the ice for the 2022 Rookie Camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, and there are quite a few names to keep an eye on.

Washington released its rookie camp roster on Tuesday. Here is the full roster:

The Capitals camp goes from Sept. 15 to Sept. 19. Training camp will then officially start on Sept. 22. Washington’s rookie camp will be going on while other NHL clubs host similar camps or head to Buffalo for the Prospects Challenge tournament. The Capitals held development camp in mid-July and several of the same prospects will return with some new faces joining in as well.

Lapierre is obviously one of the biggest names to watch going into this mini-camp. Last season, he cracked the opening night roster after an impressive rookie camp and main training camp. Though he was sent back down to the QMJHL after six NHL games, he still got his first NHL goal and also had a career year with the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. He has been skating with Washington over the last few weeks at informal skates and has been adding size and keeping in shape as he hopes to crack the roster again despite minimal vacancies. This time, he also wants to earn a permanent stay.

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Another name to watch is his good friend, Vincent Iorio. The 19-year-old defenseman is also coming off a career year with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, and now that he has four years of junior hockey experience under his belt, he will likely make the pro jump in 2022-23. He has not only added more offense to his game, but he has added size and muscle and also looked good during development camp with strong passes, a wicked shot and good presence.

Bear Hughes will also be in attendance. The 2020 fourth-rounder had over a point-per-game pace with the WHL’s Spokane Chiefs last season and is joining the AHL’s Hershey Bears on a one-year deal as he looks to earn an entry-level deal from the Capitals.

Other names to watch include Alexander Suzdalev, who is playing with Connor Bedard in Regina this season, Haakon Hanelt, who is fresh off a World Juniors run and is working on making noise after an injury last season, Martin Has, Peter Laviolette III, Clay Stevenson and more.

Here is the full schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 15

Players physicals/testing – no media availability

Friday, Sept. 16

12:30 p.m.: Goalies on ice (Capitals rink)
12:45 – 2 p.m.: All players on ice (Capitals rink)
Post-practice: Media availability

Saturday, Sept. 17
9 a.m.: Goalies on ice (Capitals rink)
9:15 – 10:30 a.m.: All players on ice (Capitals rink)
Post-practice: Media availability

Sunday, Sept. 18
9 – 9:30 a.m.: On-Ice Testing (Capitals rink)
9:45 – 10:30 a.m.: All players on ice (Capitals rink)
Post-practice: Media availability

Monday, September 19
12:30 p.m.: Goalies on ice (Capitals rink)
12:45 – 2 p.m.: All players on ice (Capitals rink)
Post-practice: Media availability