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Capitals Strengthen Blue Line Depth, Ink Vinnie Iorio To Entry-Level Deal

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Capitals prospect Vinnie Iorio

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Vincent Iorio to a three-year, entry-level contract, general manager Brian MacLellan announced Monday. The ELC carries an AAV of $875,833.

Iorio was Washington’s first selection of the 2021 NHL Draft, going 55th overall. In 22 games with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings last season, he dished five goals and 12 points recorded a career-high of .55 points per game.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound blueliner considers himself a “poised, smooth-skating two-way defenseman who’s reliable in all three zones.” He also possesses a strong point shot and a high hockey IQ.

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He skated with the Capitals at rookie camp and impressed on the ice and earned an invite to the team’s main training camp. Overall, Iorio had a strong showing and also played in Washington’s preseason tilt with the New Jersey Devils, skating on the second pairing with Michal Kempny. He finished the game with two hits, one block, one giveaway and a minus-1 rating in 14:19 minutes on the ice.

The Capitals re-assigned Iorio to the Wheat Kings on Friday and played in Brandon’s season opener against the Winnipeg Ice. Wearing the “A,” he picked up an assist in a 10-2 loss. Through two games so far, he has two helpers, three shots and is a minus-5.

Iorio, who was the ninth WHL player that the Capitals took in the NHL draft over the last four years, is the first of the team’s 2021 picks to sign an entry-level deal.

The right-hand shot possesses size, speed and a lot of upside. If he continues to sharpen up his game, he can be a major difference maker at the highest level. Washington is also no stranger to WHL defensemen and possesses has a plethora of depth on the blue line.