Photo: Canucks Forum

The Washington Capitals selected defenseman Martin Has with their fifth-round pick (153rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft. The 18-year old spent the past two seasons with Tappara U20 of the Jr. A SM-liiga in Finland. 

Has, a native of Praha, Czech Republic posted nine goals, 16 points, and a -1 rating in 37 games this season. He is listed at 6’4″ and 187 pounds. He also notched two points (both assists) and a +3 rating in three playoff games.

Martin Hugo Haš talks with the media for the first time after Washington traded up to take him with the 153rd pick (5th round) of the 2019 NHL Draft. #ALLCAPS | #CapsDraft pic.twitter.com/sRLvP49seX

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 22, 2019

The Capitals traded their seventh-round pick (No. 211 overall) this year and next year to the San Jose Sharks to acquire the 153rd overall pick.

NHL Central Scouting ranked Has 38th overall among European skaters and EliteProspects.com ranked him 68th among all draft prospects.

He will likely be at the team’s development camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia next week.

ISS Hockey wrote in 2017 that Has is a “two-way defenseman, a strong skater for his size.” They also said that he makes good decisions with the puck, has a hard shot, and uses long reach to break up passes.

This was the first pick that the Capitals did not use on a forward this year and their last pick of the 2019 NHL Draft barring another trade.

By Harrison Brown