Development Camp, the most wonderful time of the offseason, is officially underway! On Tuesday, Capitals prospects and a few undrafted free agents began the five-day session. All four Capitals draft picks from Saturday were in attendance. Tuesday also marked the annual Fan Fest and Alumni game.
DEFENSE
The defense worked on speed, skate work, and play along the boards on the first morning of development camp.
Development Camp is underway. Here are the defensive prospects working on some skate drills pic.twitter.com/8b1Yoepjud
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Capitals 2016 first round pick Lucas Johansen was back for his second Development Camp.
#Caps 2016 1st round pick Lucas Johansen pic.twitter.com/x0eB0XasWy
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Here are Connor Hobbs and Chase Priskie working on puck handling.
Defensemen Connor Hobbs and Chase Priskie working on puck handling pic.twitter.com/h9phlw43hA
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Caps fourth round pick, and their first selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, Tobias Geisser was here for his first taste of Development Camp action.
#Caps 2017 4th round draft pick Tobias Geisser working on play along the boards pic.twitter.com/6nJqplo2ge
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The blueliners would finish their drills with slapshots from the top. The real star of the show was goaltender Michael Lackey who was catching some pucks as if he was a catcher in baseball.
Michael Lackey looking good in between the pipes pic.twitter.com/ivmtZi8bKR
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Same drill, different angle.
Lackey again, from a different angle pic.twitter.com/eAYNKJhWbg
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
FORWARDS
The forwards were also on the ice at the same time the defensemen were, only they were practicing over on the Capitals’ rink which meant a lot of running around.
The forwards are on the other rink. Adam Carlson makes a great save here pic.twitter.com/YUFS833yxx
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Adam Carlson makes a good save on Damien Riat, who was drafted in the fourth round last year, during this drill.
Goaltender Collin Delia is on the other side of the ice. He makes a good save here pic.twitter.com/0ca9Dv3zYi
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Goaltender Collin Della was on the other side of the ice. He made a good save here.
Goal by Tanner Jeannot pic.twitter.com/H1ArwAmFlz
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Free agent invite Taylor Jeannot scored an impressive goal.
Goal by Steven Spinner pic.twitter.com/tai4zGpDvo
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
So did Steven Spinner, who was drafted by the Caps in the sixth round in 2014.
Hampus Gustafsson and Mason Mitchell pic.twitter.com/cqQiogeCVb
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Free agents Hampus Gustafsson and Mason Mitchell got rushes on the shortened rink. Gustafsson spent some time with the Hershey Bears prior to becoming a free agent. Look out for those sticks!
2017 #Caps 7th round pick Kristian Roykas Marthinsen pic.twitter.com/7Cc43VfLWw
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#Caps 2016 3rd round pick Garrett Pilon vs. 3 cones and Mack Shields pic.twitter.com/35MFowqN16
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2016 third rounder, Garrett Pilon was back for his second Capitals Development Camp.
GOALIES
The goalies got to learn from the goaltending genius himself, Mitch Korn.
The young netminders are leading from the genius himself, Mitch Korn pic.twitter.com/Rt6mfr7G3W
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
First up was Michael Lackey.
Michael Lackey in between the pipes pic.twitter.com/zzAQYrYcMC
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Then it was Mack Shields’ turn against Connor Hobbs.
Now it’s Mack Shields’ turn against Connor Hobbs pic.twitter.com/1PBdyGLaHR
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
On the other side of the rink, Collin Delia was in between two nets facing Hobbs.
Hobbs putting up shots against Collin Delia and two nets pic.twitter.com/C4zBIhgWUy
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
FULL SQUAD
The final session featured every player getting that full NHL practice experience.
More drills pic.twitter.com/Y9E1JqgZkI
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Damien Riat was working on snapshots from both sides.
Damien Riat pic.twitter.com/GN3lsD3Iiq
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Brenton Maas, 2017 sixth rounder, is also here for his first taste of Development Camp.
#Caps 2017 6th rounder Brenton Maass pic.twitter.com/vqPEVB9kgZ
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Mack Shields facing shots from all angles.
Mack Shields facing shots from all angles pic.twitter.com/Al8v1FEhxt
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Axel Jonson-Fjallby nearly had a goal here.
Axel Jonson-Fjallby with a near goal pic.twitter.com/5uKnEnxwdX
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Loose puck drills.
Loose puck work, featuring Lucas Johansen and Damien Riat pic.twitter.com/aFRjxFKM4k
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Sebastian Walfridsson, 2017 fifth rounder, was also present.
#Caps 2017 5th rounder Sebastian Walfridsson pic.twitter.com/Ogds7IHS1u
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Shane Gersich with the goal.
Goal by Shane Gersich pic.twitter.com/RXJj2CbQmA
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Mason Mitchell led the stretches to conclude day one of Development Camp.
Time to stretch. Mason Mitchell leads the way. pic.twitter.com/rzMvkNmfsu
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
QUICK TAKES
- Even though none of the goalies are currently members of the Capitals organization, they really impressed me with their saves. I’m not sure if it’s because they were being coached up by Mitch Korn or if they knew I was filming.
- Lucas Johansen looked like he had a great first day of his second development camp. He was full of energy in the drills, especially getting to loose pucks. After hearing how he gained 10 pounds, and had a crazy diet to put those pounds on, I expect to see a lot more physicality from the young defender.
- Shane Gersich didn’t have a sick goal like he did last season with North Dakota, but he did get some great looks. He showed a lot of speed in many of the drills and I think this week will help set him up for a great junior season at UND.
SCENES FROM KETTLER
A moment of silence as we remember these nice third jerseys pic.twitter.com/4zMqQPgQcl
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) June 27, 2017
Stop by our table at the @Capitals Fan Fest today (6/27) until 7PM #CapsFanFest #HBH #Affiliate pic.twitter.com/YBDRcXCeAl
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) June 27, 2017
📸 Session 1 of #CapsDevCamphttps://t.co/j7VMJNzrT4 pic.twitter.com/HaOJKddA3O
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 27, 2017
A 👋🏼 from @mitchkorncaps at #CapsDevCamp! pic.twitter.com/pZdxvbmool
— MonumentalSportsNet (@MonSportsNet) June 27, 2017
By Michael Marzzacco
Isn’t G Adam Carlson signed to a 2-year contract?
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