Photo: Washington Capitals
Ilya Samsonov, the Washington Capitals first-round draft pick from the 2015 NHL Draft made his first appearance in Capitals threads on Tuesday.
Samsonov, the 19-year-old phenom from Magnitogorsk, Russia, made his first appearance at Kettler on Tuesday, as part of the Capitals 2016 Development Camp. Samsonov missed the 2015 Development Camp.
Caps get their first live look at 2015 first-rounder Ilya Samsonov. pic.twitter.com/3T6p5MYV4Y
— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) June 28, 2016
.
Samsonov was ranked as the top European Goalie in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, and was the first goaltender drafted, being taken 22nd overall by the Washington Capitals. Samsonov is currently playing with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has two years remaining on his current contract.
.
Samsonov has a lot on his plate this week, learning to play on a larger rink, and dealing with that pesky language barrier.
Samsonov: “Gradually, I’m starting to understand what’s being asked of me. I’m starting to get used to the larger rink, to the guys.”
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 28, 2016
Samsonov arrived in Virginia this past weekend, and was able to grab a couple of dinners at the highly touted Fogo de Chao. On Saturday night he dined with fellow Russian and Capital Stanislav Galiev.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHGVXaxBF9a/?taken-by=samsonov_30&hl=en
.
On Sunday night, Samsonov returned to Fogo de Chao with the Capitals new draft pick (seventh round), 18-year-old Dmitriy Zaitsev, who hails from Moscow, Russia.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHI5YyxhY8f/?taken-by=samsonov_30&hl=en
.
The 2016 Development Camp will continue through Saturday, with all on-ice sessions free and open to the general public.
Ilya Samsonov ready for his first #CapsDevCamp practice coming up at 9:15. pic.twitter.com/P8FfHKEBHh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 28, 2016
We weren’t kidding earlier, Coach Trotz is always watching! 👀 #CapsDevCamp pic.twitter.com/UeNHDruXsa
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) June 28, 2016
.
Related Articles:
Interview with Capitals Goalie Prospect Ilya Samsonov
Capitals Prospect Ilya Samsonov Stellar in Recent Relief
Capitals Goalie Prospect Ilya Samsonov 2016 World Junior Championship (Russia vs Belarus)
Capitals Select Goalie Ilya Samsonov with their First Round Pick
Semin, Samsonov Win the KHL’s Gagarin Cup
Russia beats USA at World Juniors, Caps’ Samsonov solid in net
.
In a perfect world, Samsonov will be Holtby’s back-up in two years, and takeover for Holtby after his current contract expires.
Pingback: Caps Development Camp Scrimmage 2016 | Washington Capitals News | NoVa Caps
Pingback: Ilya Samsonov Shines With a Spectacular Save In KHL Game | NoVa Caps
Pingback: Game Preview: Capitals @ Lightning | NoVa Caps
Pingback: Team USA beats Team Russia, Ilya Samsonov, 3-2 (Video) | NoVa Caps