Capitals Release Training Camp Information

Photo: NHL.com

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals will begin their quest for a repeat on Friday, when training camp gets underway at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia.

The 2018 Washington Capitals Training Camp roster:

The Capitals have been coming into town in recent weeks for informal practices and workouts with their teammates to prepare for the upcoming season.

Todd Reirden will lead training camp for the first time as head coach but was in charge of training camp in 2016 when then head coach Barry Trotz, who resigned as Capitals’ head coach on June 18 and signed a five-year contract with the New York Islanders three days later, was an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

After we saw the most competitive training camp in recent years last season, the Capitals will not have many open jobs for the upcoming season. With the losses of center Jay Beagle and goaltender Philipp Grubauer over the offseason, there will be some competition to fill their spots. You can find the candidates to replace Beagle and Grubauer here.

Although the team hasn’t given out any professional tryout contracts yet, it is still very well possible to happen. For potential PTO candidates the Capitals could sign this week before camp opens, click here.

Training Camp Format

The team will be divided into three squads: blue, white, and red. Each team will be practicing at a different time while the others do off-ice workouts and video sessions. (Squad color assignments and the first week’s schedule for each group-color is provided below).

The team will hold players’ physical testing the prior day with no media availability. The following day will be team media day.

The Capitals must turn in their 23-man roster on October 2, one day before the regular season opens at Capital One Arena against the Boston Bruins at 7:30 PM.

The Capitals will play their first preseason game on Sunday at 1 PM at the Bruins at TD Garden. The full preseason schedule can be found here.

From Capitals’ Media Release:

The 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals will begin their 2018-19 Training Camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Sept. 14, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Training camp will last 19 days with the NHL regular season beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 3. This marks the Capitals’ 12th training camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the Metro-accessible, inside-the-Beltway practice facility that features two NHL-sized rinks. All on-ice sessions will be open to the public and free of charge.

The training camp roster will be broken up into three squads (Teams Red, White and Blue) and their schedules will vary. Players will be available to the media at the conclusion of their on-and off-ice sessions (approximate times are listed below).

Those media members seeking specific players should check with the Capitals media relations department in advance for the best time to gain access to individuals as it will likely change daily. Head coach Todd Reirden will be made available to the media following the final on-ice session of each day. All Capitals practice sessions are open to approved members of the media.

The Capitals complete training camp roster and schedule through the first week is listed below.

The roster must be trimmed to 23 players by Tuesday, Oct. 2. Unlike other professional sports, there is no mandatory schedule for making roster cuts.

Similar to previous years, MedStar Capitals Iceplex will be closed to the media on Thursday, Sept. 13 – the day Capitals veterans conduct physicals and off-ice testing.

Media Day

The Capitals will hold Media Day on Sept. 14. All Capitals players, coaches and management will be available to the media. There are three practice sessions scheduled that day (Group White at 9:30 a.m., Group Red at 11:10 a.m. and Group Blue at 12:40 p.m.). Players will be available to the media at the conclusion of their on-and off-ice sessions.