Capitals’ Prospect Alexander Alexeyev Named WHL Player of the Week

Photo: Last Word on Hockey

The WHL announced on Monday that Red Deer Rebels defenseman and Washington Capitals‘ prospect Alexander Alexeyev was named the league’s player of the week.

The first-round draft pick of the Capitals tallied three goals, eight points, and a +10 rating in four games to help the Rebels defend their spot atop of their division.

Alexeyev is tied for first in points among defenseman in the league with 20 points (seven goals) in 15 games. In addition, Alexeyev, 18, tallied two power-play goals and two game-winners in the past week.

Alexeyev impressed the Capitals in training camp and signed a three-year entry-level contract with the team on September 24. The defenseman appeared in one preseason game for the Capitals, recording an assist and setting the tone with his physicality. He also posted four assists while participating in the Capitals’ three-game rookie tournament in early September.

WHL Release

Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Red Deer Rebels defenceman Alexander Alexeyev has been named the WHL On the Run Player of the Week for the week ending October 28, 2018.

Selected in the first round, 31^st overall, of the 2018 NHL Draft by the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals, Alexeyev recorded eight points (3G-5A) and a plus-10 rating in four games this week as the Rebels continued to defend their lead atop the Central Division.

Tuesday at home against the Calgary Hitmen, Alexeyev scored his team’s first two goals at even strength in a 3-1 victory. His efforts earned him first star honors for the game and second-star honors of the night in the WHL. In a 4-1 loss to the Medicine Hat Tigers Wednesday, Alexeyev collected a single assist to extend his point streak to four games.

Friday, the Rebels played host to the Saskatoon Blades. In a 4-3 overtime victory for Red Deer, Alexeyev recorded a pair of primary assists, including one on the game-winning goal.

Alexeyev then closed out his week with a goal and two assists in Sunday’s 8-5 win against the Kootenay ICE. In addition to extending his point streak to six games, Alexeyev scored Red Deer’s fourth goal at even strength and picked up assists on Red Deer’s first and sixth goals in the contest. He was named the first star of the game for his efforts.

Overall, seven of Alexeyev’s eight points came at even strength this past week as the Rebels scored 14 of their 16 goals at even strength. One came short-handed while another came on the power play.

Alexeyev is presently tied for first in scoring among WHL defencemen with 20 points (7G-13A) in 15 games this season, including two power-play goals and two game-winning goals. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound product of St. Petersburg, Russia was originally selected in the first round, 49^th overall, of the 2016 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. In 101 WHL regular season games with the Rebels, Alexeyev has 78 points (18G-60A), including five power-play goals and three game-winning goals.

The Rebels are back in action Saturday, November 3 (1:30 p.m. MT) when they head south on Highway 2 to face the Calgary Hitmen.

WHL On the Run Player of the Week
Oct. 22 – Oct. 28: Alexander Alexeyev, Red Deer Rebels
Oct. 15 – Oct. 21: Mark Kastelic, Calgary Hitmen
Oct. 8 – Oct. 14: Brett Leason, Prince Albert Raiders
Oct. 1 – Oct. 7: Dawson Davidson, Saskatoon Blades
Sept. 24 – Sept. 30: Luka Burzan, Brandon Wheat Kings
Sept. 21 – Sept. 23: Kirby Dach, Saskatoon Blades

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.