On Wednesday May 12, EV Zug of the Swiss National League announced that they have signed former Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos, part of the team’s Stanley Cup-winning roster of 2018, to a two year deal.
EVZ’s team manager Reto Kläy, explained the reasoning for the signing of the 26-year old defenseman, a former seventh-round pick of the Caps in 2012, “After the departures of Raphael Diaz and Santeri Alatalo, we had to find an equally-capable replacement in the defense. We have found this with Christian Djoos. He is in his prime and will help us with his skating qualities and a good vision on the ice.”
The Caps had originally drafted Djoos with the 195th overall pick in 2012. He is the son of Per Djoos, who also played in the NHL as a defenseman. After playing at various levels for Brynas IF, best known as the hockey club in Gävle, Sweden, where former Capitals teammate Nicklas Backstrom developed, he came over to North America and played one game with the Hershey Bears for the 2014-15 season and then two full seasons with the Bears for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons before making his debut with the Capitals for the 2017-18 season and playing a part during their Stanley Cup run.
Christian Djoos’ Day With The Stanley Cup
In 2018-19, he spent most of the season with the Caps, but played an additional two games with the Hershey Bears. That season, he developed Compartment Syndrome as a result of a thigh injury, needed surgery, and missed time as a result.
In 2019-20, he started with the Capitals organization, playing two games with the Capitals, but spent most of his time with the Hershey Bears. Djoos was traded near the trade deadline to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Daniel Sprong. The Ducks placed him on waivers prior to the 2020-21 season, where he was picked up by the Detroit Red Wings. Coincidentally, Djoos’ father Per had been drafted by the Red Wings and played 26 games during the 1990-91 season with them during his NHL career.
In total, Djoos played in 110 games for the Caps during his nearly, three-year tenure with the team, scoring four goals and adding 20 assists for 24 points overall. He played in a total of 155 games for his NHL career, scoring seven goals and recording 31 assists. He played in 36 games with the Red Wings, scoring two goals and recording nine assists. He ultimately was reunited with old Caps and Bears teammates in Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik, and Riley Barber.
EV Zug most recently won the championship for the Swiss National League after coming into the playoffs as the top seed. Caps prospect, Tobias Geisser, was loaned to EV Zug and played defense for them when the AHL season was uncertain due to Covid-19.
By Diane Doyle
Further Reading
Swiss Hockey News: Done Deal Christian Djoos Joins EV Zug For the Next Two Seasons
Christian Djoos Plays His First NHL Game Makes an Immediate Impact
Caps’ Defenseman Christian Djoos to Make NHL Debut Against Penguins
Christian Djoos Has His Day With the Stanley Cup in Gavle Sweden
Capitals Trade Christian Djoos to Anaheim Ducks in Exchange for Daniel Sprong
Ducks Place Christian Djoos On Waivers
Report: Red Wings Claim Christian Djoos On Waivers, Predators Place Tyler Lewington On Waivers
Is a great move for his game! As one of his Canadian relatives it’s been frustrating to watch him keep hitting the glass ceiling ! Just because he was 7th. round pick he seamed to have to prove himself against teams top picks. Every time he had decent ice time & opportunity he’s got points & proved he could be everyday NHL’er . If he goes & proves that he’s top 3 defenseman in probably 2 best professional league behind Swedish Elite, the “right” team will see the value! Even in last seven games in Detroit he put up 5 points! Doesn’t sound like has trouble adjusting to different teams. More than three defensemen brought in 12 games he sat out!