Washington Capitals Prospect Report – October, 2021: Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Bear Hughes And Oskar Magnusson Off To Hot Starts

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Jon Sorensen


Welcome to the first installment of NoVa Caps’ Washington Capitals Monthly Prospects Report for the 2021-2022 season. This report summarizes activities for each of the Capitals’ prospects for the month of October, 2021.  

The report is broken down by leagues/regions in which each prospect plays in:

  • AHL (Hershey Bears)
  • CHL (WHL/OHL/QMJHL)
  • NCAA/USHL/ECHL
  • EUROPE (SWEDEN/SWISS LEAGUE)
  • KHL (VHL/KHL)

[You can access all of our prospect news and analysis on our “Prospects” page located in the top menu]

AHL/HERSHEY BEARS

The Hershey Bears kicked off their 2021-22 American Hockey League (AHL) season with a pair of home wins over Charlotte and Lehigh Valley during opening weekend. The chocolate and white followed up that success by splitting a weekend set in Charlotte. Returning home, the Bears fell twice in extra time, falling to Syracuse in overtime and then in a shootout to Cleveland. Hershey closed out the month by rallying for an overtime victory over Cleveland. The Bears ended October with a record of 4-1-1 and 10 points. Hershey posted a winning percentage of .710 and sit in third place in the Atlantic Division.

Offensively, the Bears have had a balanced attack. Ten different players have tallied goals and 15 players have recorded points. Mike Sgarbossa leads the way with eight points. Garrett Pilon, Axel Jonsson-Fjallby and Mike Vecchione follow with seven points each.

Hershey has had some breakdowns on the other end of the ice that have resulted in goals for their opponents. However, the defense has been good overall. The Bears surrendered five goals in the first matchup in Charlotte, but have only given up a total of 11 goals during the run of play in the other six games. Zach Fucale has been stellar in net and the penalty kill has been strong.

ALEX ALEXEYEV (LD/RD) – 21 – Drafted 2018 (First Round, 31st overall)
After posting nine points in 12 games last season, Alexeyev has yet to find his offensive game this season. His lone point of October came on a primary assist on Axel Jonsson-Fjallby’s first period goal against Syracuse on October 27. The Russian blue liner has seen time on the second power play unit and has been part of Hershey’s effective penalty kill. He still makes mistakes defensively with his positioning and his decisions with the puck, but he is improving in those areas. Alexeyev has been playing his off side, the right, but he has experience doing so because he played on the right side at times in the KHL last season.

TRENDING: SAME

KODY CLARK (RW) – 22 – Drafted 2018 (Second Round, 47th overall)
The second-generation winger got off to a good start to this season by netting the game winning goal in the season opening, 5-2 win over Charlotte. Clark tipped Mike Vecchione’s shot past Charlotte goalie Christopher Gibson on the power play.

Unfortunately for Clark, the opening goal was his only point of October. He was scoreless in his next five games and did not play in the month’s final contest against Cleveland. The son of former NHL winger Wendall Clark has skated mostly on the fourth line and this has limited his opportunities. It has not helped Clark that his linemates have also gotten off to slow starts. He needs to generate more shots, as he only has nine shots on goal.

TRENDING: SAME

PHEONIX COPLEY (G) – 29 – Undrafted
The Alaskan has manned the net four times in October. Copley started the season opener versus Charlotte on October 16 and was busy, early. He faced 11 first period shots, giving up one power play goal. His play allowed the Bears to be up 2-1 after one period. After that, he faced only four shots and earned the win. Copley’s second start was not a good one. He surrendered four goals on 19 shots. There were some defensive breakdowns in front of him, but there were goals Copley would want to have back. He gave up a big rebound on Charlotte’s third goal. Then, he misplayed a dump in that led to the game-winning goal. The North Pole, Alaska native rebounded in his next start on October 27. He robbed Maxim Cajkovic at 14:08 of the first period by coming across the crease to get a piece of the shot with his stick. In the second period, Copley saw 15 shots, turning away 14 of them. He made 37 saves and kept Hershey in the game, but took a tough loss when Syracuse scored on a breakaway late in overtime. Copley was strong again early on October 31. Cleveland fired seven shots his way before the game was five minutes old. The Michigan Tech product stopped all of those shots. He would face 14 shots in the frame, stopping 13 of them. The lone tally was a power play goal. Copley kept it a 1-0 deficit by denying away Adam Helewka on a breakaway. He made a toe save on a penalty kill halfway through the second and followed that up with stopping two shots in quick succession. In the end, Copley made 33 saves and earned the win when Axel Jonsson-Fjallby scored in overtime. For the month he was 2-1-1 with a 2.91 GAA and a .891 save percentage.

TRENDING: DOWN

ZACH FUCALE (G) – 26 – Drafted 2013 (Second Round, 36th overall – Montreal)
Fucale has picked up right where he left off last season. The netminder started three games in the month and went 2-0-1. He surrendered three goals in those three games. His only loss came in a shootout against Cleveland on October 30. He stopped the first seven shots in the shootout before Kevin Stenlund won it for Cleveland. Fucale made 29 saves in that game, including five in overtime. His best save of the game came when he stoned Liam Foudy on a breakaway with 9:47 left in regulation to keep the Bears within one. In his season debut, Fucale made 23 saves, three of which were top notch. He stopped Tyson Foerster on a shot from the right circle in the opening period on the shift following Lucas Johansen’s goal. Later in the period, the Laval, Qubec native turned away Logan Day’s backdoor attempt on the power play. Then, he stoned Isaac Ratcliffe on a breakaway by closing down the five hole. In his next start on the road in Charlotte, Fucale made nine first period saves to keep the game scoreless. With the Bears down one in the third, he denied Logan Hutzko in close. The save proved to be big as Garrett Pilon would tie the game a few minutes later. Fucale then made three big saves in a back-and-forth overtime, before Johansen won it late in the extra session. Fucale led the AHL last season in goals against average and he is right back at the top of that list with a .96 goals-against average through October. He is tied for third in the league with a .963 save percentage.

TRENDING: UP

TOBIAS GEISSER (LD) – 22- Drafted 2017 (Fourth Round, 120th overall)
Geisser spent last season playing for HC EV Zug in his native Switzerland and is still readjusting to the North American game. Growth can be seen in his play defensively. Geisser is more aware of his positioning than he was his last go around in Hershey, but wanders every now and then. The Swiss defender still needs to be stronger, as he gets bodied off the puck on occasion. Also, he sometimes gets caught flat footed and that leads to an attacker player bursting by him. Offensively, Geisser has one assist. It came in the October 17 game against Lehigh Valley when Mike Vecchione put home the rebound off his shot. The native of Stans, Switzerland is sometimes tentative on offense and occasionally hesitates with his shot. He still needs to gain confidence in that aspect of his game.

TRENDING: SAME

SHANE GERSICH (C/LW) – 25 – Drafted 2014 (Fifth Round, 134th overall)
Gersich is the biggest disappointment for Hershey through one month of the season. The North Dakota product went without a point in October. More troubling is his play, defensively. Gersich has developed into a reliable two-way player the past few years. He has struggled at five-on-five in his own end. This struggle could be due to his shifting back to center. The Chaska, Minnesota native has played mostly on the left wing the past few seasons and has been solid in that spot. Playing at center brings different responsibilities defensively and different matchups. If Gersich’s struggles continue, a move back to the wing may be needed to get him going. The one bright spot in Gersich’s game has been his penalty killing. He is a reliable asset on the penalty kill and still contributes in that area.

TRENDING: DOWN

LUCAS JOHANSEN (LD) – 23 – Drafted 2016 (First Round, 28th overall)
Johansen has been the most pleasant surprise of the season thus far. After playing only 14 games combined in the past two season, the defenseman has suited up for all seven games. He has played in all situations and has been solid. Johansen scored the first goal of the season for the chocolate and white, putting home a perfect pass from Garrett Pilon on the back door against Charlotte on October 16.

It was his first goal since April 13, 2019. The Vancouver, British Columbia native also potted an overtime game-winner at Charlotte, lasering his shot into the net.

He has three points this season, nearly equaling his total from the last two seasons combined. Defensively, Johansen has looked more comfortable. His positioning has been better for the most part and his zone exits have been smarter.

TRENDING: UP

AXEL JONSSON-FJALLBY (LW) – 23 –  Drafted 2016 (Fifth Round, 147th overall) The Swedish winger had a whirlwind in the preseason. He was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Sabres, but never played in a game with them due to visa issues. After being put on waivers by Buffalo, Jonsson-Fjallby was reclaimed by Washington and assigned to the Bears. The Swede has not let any of it bother him. Jonsson-Fjallby has arguably been Hershey’s best all-around player through the first month of the season. He has found the back of the net three times, including the overtime game winner versus Cleveland on October 31.

He is the only Bear with more than one game-winning goal. His seven points are tied for the second most on the team, as are his three goals. On the other end of the ice, Jonsson-Fjallby continues to be an elite penalty killer. He is a threat to score shorthanded every time he is on the ice on the penalty kill. He is a smart player who almost always is in the right position. The Stockholm, Sweden native also netted the winning goal on October 17 against Lehigh Valley.

Jonsson-Fjallby notched his second tally of the season early in the first period against the Syracuse Crunch on October 27.

Axel has three goals and four assists in seven games played so far this season. He’s taken just 25 shots for a robust 25% shooting percentage. He needs to continue shooting more.

TRENDING: UP

MICHAEL KEMPNY (LD) – 31 – Undrafted
A 2018 Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals, Kempny was assigned to the Bears on October 9. The Czech blue liner filled a need for Hershey, a top pair left defenseman. He has filled that role, often paired with Cody Franson. With young defensemen Lucas Johansen and Tobias Geisser behind him on the left side, Kempny has provided a needed veteran presence. He made a good play with 9:17 in the third period against Lehigh Valley on October 17. Kempny broke up a three-on-one rush with his stick to deny a scoring opportunity. The Hodonin, Czech Republic native only played two games last season due to injury and is still getting back into form. As Kempny gets more games under his belt, his game will improve and that will only benefit the Bears.

TRENDING: SAME

BRETT LEASON (RW) – 22 – Drafted 2019 (Second Round, 56th overall)
Leason netted a power play goal in the second period of the season opener against Charlotte on October 16. He deposited a loose puck into the net.

The marker would be his only point in five games during the month, but Leason was part of an effective line with Aliaksei Protas and Axel Jonsson-Fjallby. He earned his first ever recall to the National Hockey League (NHL) and made his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals versus the Arizona Coyotes on October 29. He recorded his first NHL goal on November 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For the month of October in Hershey, Leason had a goal and no assists in five games played. He shot 11 times for a 9,1% shooting percentage.

TRENDING: UP

BECK MALENSTYN (LW/RW) – 23 – Drafted 2016 (Fifth Round, 145th overall)
Washington sent Malenstyn to Hershey to get him game time after the winger missed the entirety of last season with an Achilles injury. The Delta, British Columbia native is still working his way back into form. He has not found his game in most aspects yet. Malenstyn has not recorded a point in seven games played and is an uncharacteristic minus four. However, some of his strengths have begun to re-emerge. He continues to play a physical game and is not afraid to deliver a check. Malenstyn is still willing to throw his body in front of a shot and his play on the penalty kill is solid. Similar to Kempny, Malenstyn’s game will improve the more he plays.

TRENDING: SAME

DYLAN MCILRATH (RD) – 29 – Drafted 2010 (First Round, 10th overall – New York Rangers)
The rugged blue liner was brought in to bring a veteran and physical presence to the Bears. McIlrath has brought that. He had a spirited scrap with Cleveland’s Brett Gallant on October 31.

Earlier in the same shift, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native delivered a big hit. McIlrath has been mostly solid defensively, but has had some issues with speedy players. For example, in a game at Charlotte on October 22, Alexander True burst past McIlrath in the first period, creating a two-on-one that ended with True tallying to tie the game at one. The veteran of 66 NHL games is a good penalty killer and brings leadership to the defensive corps.

TRENDING: SAME

GARRETT PILON (RW) – 23 – Drafted 2016 (Third Round, 87th overall)
Pilon picked up right where he left off last season. He posted 16 points in 14 games last season prior to being recalled to the Washington Capitals taxi squad.

Back in Chocolate Town to start this season, Pilon compiled seven points in seven games in October. The son of former NHL defenseman Rich Pilon began the season with a three-point game with a goal and two assists, including the primary helper on the first Hershey goal of the season.

The Mineola, New York native leads the Bears with four goals and is tied for second in points with seven. His goal in Charlotte on October 23 tied the game with 7:12 left in the third. Pilon has been going to the front of the net and has been rewarded by scoring on deflections and converting rebounds.

For the month of October Pilon recorded four goals and three assists in seven games played. He recorded 28 shots for a 14.8% shooting percentage.

TRENDING: UP

BRIAN PINHO (RW) – 26 – Drafted 2013 (Sixth Round, 174th overall)
The Providence College alum failed to tally a goal in October. Pinho has yet to find his groove offensively, but has still contributed four assists. He started the tic-tac-toe passing play that resulted in Mike Sgarbossa’s opening goal against Cleveland on October 31. The native of North Andover, Massachusetts is one of Hershey’s top penalty killers. This was on display in the final game of the month against Cleveland on Halloween. The Bears started overtime on the penalty kill and the penalty killers got stuck on the ice for a long shift. Pinho deflected a pass and the dove to knock the puck down the ice. The play allowed Hershey to change penalty killers. The Bears would kill off the penalty and eventually win the game.

TRENDING: SAME

ALIAKSEI PROTAS (C) – 20 – Drafted 2019 (Third Round, 91st overall)
Protas posted four points in six games in October. He missed the final game of the month on October 31 due to a pending recall to the NHL. The Belarussian center potted the first goal at Charlotte on October 22, converting a feed from Axel Jonsson-Fjallby.

Protas has three assists on the season, including one on Jonsson-Fjallby’s game-winning goal versus Lehigh Valley on October 17. The former Prince Albert Raider is playing with more confidence than he did during his 16 games in the AHL last season. Protas has been effective on faceoffs and has had good chemistry with linemates Jonsson-Fjallby and Brett Leason. Protas made his NHL debut on November 1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

TRENDING: UP

MIKE SGARBOSSA (C) – 29 – Undrafted
Slotted into the number one center spot, Sgarbossa has delivered. He amassed eight points in October, most on the Bears. The veteran pivot has recorded a point in five of the seven Hershey games thus far this season. The native of Campbellville, Ontario started the season with a goal and an assist in the opening game against Charlotte.

He dished out the primary assist on Garrett Pilon’s game tying goal at Charlotte on October 23. Sgarbossa ended the month with a multi-point game against Cleveland on Halloween. He netted the first Hershey goal, finishing off a nice tic-tac-toe passing sequence in the second.

Sgarbossa also assisted on Cody Franson’s game-tying power play goal in the third period. The veteran played in his 500th career professional game on October 27.

TRENDING: UP

HUNTER SHEPARD (G) – 25 – Undrafted
Shepard started the season on the Hershey roster, but was scratched for both games during opening weekend. He was then sent to the South Carolina Stingrays for the start of the ECHL season. The two-time National Champion at Minnesota Duluth was stellar in the season opener. Greenville peppered him with 42 shots. Shepard stopped 40 of them and allowed South Carolina to come away with a 4-2 victory. He was especially good in the second period when the Stingrays were outshot 17 to 8. Shepard made 16 saves in the period, only surrendering one goal to keep South Carolina ahead after two period. He then turned away 14 more shots in the third period. Shepard was then recalled to the Bears, but did not dress for any games. He needs to play and if that is not going to happen currently in Hershey, he needs to go back to the ECHL and get time between the pipes.

TRENDING: UP

JOE SNIVELY (LW) – 25 – Undrafted
The Herndon, Virginia native kickstarted his season by assisting on the first two Hershey goals. However, Snively only had a single helper in his next six games. He has taken 20 shots, tied for the second most of the team, but has not converted any of his shots. Snively has played on the top two lines and has seen power play time. He needs to contribute more offensively in this role. Snively has been a responsible player in his own and has not been a minus player in any game.

TRENDING: SAME

RILEY SUTTER (C) – 22 – Drafted 2018 (Third Round, 93rd overall)
The 2021-22 season has not gotten off to a good start for Sutter. He was injured during Hershey’s preseason and has yet to see game action.

TRENDING: SAME

MIKE VECCHIONE (C) – 28 – Undrafted
Signed in the offseason to be the replacement for Philippe Maillet, Vecchione has been an effective offensive player for the chocolate and white. The Union College product has dished out a team leading six assists. Five of those assists have come on the power play. The other assist was the primary helper on Axel Jonsson-Fjallby’s overtime winner against Cleveland on October 31. The Saugus, Massachusetts native leads the Bears with five power play points. Vecchione has racked up seven points, tied for the second most on the team. His lone goal opened the scoring against Lehigh Valley on October 17. On the defensive end, Vecchione broke up a Charlotte two-on-one shorthanded chance by blocking a pass with his skate in the second period. The one negative for the center thus far has been penalties. Vecchione has taken too many penalties and leads the Bears in penalty minutes with 17, including six minors.

TRENDING: UP

CHL (WHL/OHL/QMJHL)

GARIN BJORKLUND (G) – 19 – Drafted 2020 (Sixth-Round, 179th Overall)
Bjorklund did not participate in the Capitals prospect camp at the end of September but did participate in the Capitals main training camp before returning to Medicine Hat on September 28.

Bjorklund and the Medicine Hat Tigers got off to a sluggish start, but in his third start of the season he stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced, improving his record to 1-2 with a 2.28 goals against average and a .918 save percentage. “To get a win over a good team like Edmonton, it’s pretty exciting and the boys are pretty fired up,” Bjorklund said.

In the end, the month was a tough one for Bjorklund. He finished the month of October 2-4-1-0 with a 3.36 GAA and a .890 save percentage. Medicine Hat is 4-5-1-1 on the season.

TRENDING: DOWN

HAAKON HANELT (F) – 18 – Drafted 2021 (Fifth-Round, 151st Overall)
Hanelt attended Capitals’ prospect camp at the end of September and participated in the Capitals main training camp before returning to the Gatineau Olympique in the QMJHL on September 28. Hanelt scored his first goal of the season on October 10 against Rouyn-Noranda. He would jump on a loose puck and knock it home.

Haakon was on the injury list (undisclosed) at the end of the month and missed games starting on October 24. He finished the month with a goal and four assists in seven games played for the Gatineau Olympiques.

TRENDING: SAME

MARTIN HAS – (RHD) – 20 – Drafted 2019 (Fifth-Round, 153rd Overall)
Has attended Capitals’ prospect camp at the end of September and participated in the Capitals main training camp. He played in the Capitals’ first preseason game against the Bruins and did well, logging 17:14 of ice time, before he was assigned to the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL on September 28. Has scored his first goal of the season on October 2.

Has missed games on October 8, 9, 15, and 22nd for unknown reasons, and was ultimately traded to the Shawinigan Cataractes on October 22. Has had to wait for his international transfer to be completed before he could play his first game with the team. He made his first start on October 28 on the right side of the top defensive pair. He would score in the game.

Hugo Has scored his second goal of the season in his third game with Shawinigan on October 30.

Has finished the month of October with two goals in three games, offensively, with a 28.6% shooting percentage, and was a +1. He has been starting games on the right side of the top pairing for Shawinigan.

TRENDING: UP

BEAR HUGHES – (20) – Drafted 2020 (Fifth-Round, 148th Overall)
Hughes attended Capitals’ prospect camp at the end of September and participated in the Capitals main training camp before returning to the Spokane Chiefs on September 28. He scored his first goal of the season on a 5-on-3 penalty kill on October 8.

Hughes would end the game with a goal and two assists, giving him four points in his first four games of the season. Hughes would score two more goals the following night. His first came on a nice breakaway rush early in the second period against the Tri-City Americans.

His second goal would come on the power play, giving the Chiefs an early 2-1 lead. He would also add an assist on the Chiefs final goal of the game.

Hughes returned to the scoresheet on the 15th with the game’s first goal against the Tri-City Americans.

Hughes saw somewhat consistent time on the penalty kill during the start of the Chiefs season, but was injured at the end of the month (undisclosed) and missed games on the 29th and 30th. For the month of October, Hughes had four goals and five assists in eight games played and was a -4.  Two of his goals were on the power play and one was a short handed goal. He took 19 shots for a 21.1% shooting percentage.

TRENDING: UP

VINCENT IORIO (RHD) – 18 – Drafted 2021 (Second-Round, 55th Overall)
Iorio attended Capitals’ prospect camp at the end of September and participated in the Capitals main training camp. He also played in one preseason game against the Devils on September 29th before he returned to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL on October 1 in time for the Wheat Kings season-opener. Iorio, who was named an assistant captain for the Wheat Kings, recorded an assist in each of his first two games. His first assist was a very nice feed from the corner and below the goal line.

Iorio had a nice primary assist on October 13 against Saskatoon, finding the man down low in the crease.

Iorio also missed the last two games of the month due to an undisclosed injury. For the month of October, Iorio had no goals and seven assists in 10 games played. He was a -12 and shot the puck 27 times. The Wheat Kings have struggled this season, so Iorio has had his hands full on the back end.

TRENDING: SAME

DRU KREBS (LHD) – 18 – Drafted 2021 (Sixth-Round, 176th Overall)
Krebs attended Capitals’ prospect camp at the end of September and participated in the Capitals main training camp. He was returned to the Medicine Hat Tigers on September 28. Krebs scored his first goal of the season on October 23 against the Edmonton Oil Kings.

For the season Krebs has a goal and no assists in 11 games played and is a -5. Again, Medicine Hat has been struggling this season.

TRENDING: SAME

HENDRIX LAPIERRE (C) – 19 – Drafted 2020 (First-Round, 22nd overall
Lapierre attended Capitals’ prospect camp at the end of September and participated in the Capitals main training camp. Lapierre remained on the Capitals roster for opening night, and has played in five games. He recorded his first career NHL goal on October 13.

The Capitals will need to make a decision regarding Lapierre very soon. They will burn the first year of his entry-level contract should Lapierre play in 10 games or more. Lapierre could return to Acadie-Bathurst before the end of the year, as he is ineligible to play in the AHL (age).  He’s come a long way since last season where he had an average scoring season for a first round draft pick. Remember, he was cut by the Canadian Junior team just 10 months ago. Regardless, Lapierre’s shown he’s capable of playing in the NHL.

TRENDING: UP

NCAA/USHL/ECHL

CHASE CLARK (G) – 19 – Drafted 2021 (Sixth-Round, 183rd Overall)
Clark opened the season stopping 37 of 38 shots faced against the Madison Capitols (USHL) on September 24. Clark is o-3 so far this season with the Tri-City Storm. He has a 3.03 GAA and a .899 save percentage in three appearances. He is currently third on the team’s depth chart.

TRENDING: SAME

MITCHELL GIBSON (G) – 21 – Drafted 2018 (Fourth-Round, 124th overall)
Gibson and Harvard opened the season with a 9-3 thrashing of Dartmouth. Gibson started and played 40 minutes before he was pulled with a large lead. He stopped 7 of 8 shots in his season opener. It was Gibson’s first game since March of 2020. Gibson started the second night as well, stopped 15 of 18 shots and took the win. For the month of October, Gibson went 2-0-0, stopped 22 of 24 for shots for a .916 save percentage. He just needs games.

TRENDING: SAME

BENTON MAASS (RHD) – 22 – Drafted 2017 (Sixth-Round, 182nd Overall) 
As we noted at the end of last season, Maass wrapped up his time with New Hampshire at the end of last season and then entered the transfer portal. He would subsequently transfer to Minnesota State for graduate school and his fifth year of eligibility.

Maass has a goal and an assist in seven games played so far this season. He has been playing on the right side of the third pair so far this season.

TRENDING: SAME

BRENT JOHNSON (RHD) – 18 – Drafted 2021 (Third Round, 80th Overall)
Johnson started the season on October 8 on the right side of the third pair. He recorded no goals and one assist in five games played for North Dakota. He’s been a scratch in two games, and played on the right side of the third pair in five games. He’s recorded no shots so far this season.

TRENDING: SAME

JOAQUIM LEMAY (LHD) – 19 – Drafted 2021 (Fourth Round, 114th Overall)
Lemay was named an alternate team captain for the Lincoln Stars to start the season. Lemay was named defenseman of the week in the USHL for the week ending 10/10/21. With four points in two games, the Lincoln Stars (Nebraska) defenseman was one of his club’s headliners in two wins over the Sioux Falls Stampede. Lemay, 19, started off with two assists in a 6-1 win, before adding an assist and scoring his first USHL goal in Game 2, the winning goal on top of that.

Lemay began the season on the top pairing but was relegated to the 3LW position by the 6th game of the season. Offensively, Lemay has a goal and seven assists in 11 games played and is a -1.

TRENDING: SAME

EUROPE (SWEDEN/SWISS LEAGUE)

DAMIEN RIAT (F) – 24 – DRAFTED 2016 (Fourth-Round, 117th Overall)
Riat decided to stay home and play in the Swiss League this season, rather than continue his pursuit of the NHL by playing for Hershey for a second season. The 24-year-old originally stated that he planned to return to Hershey for one more season with the Bears. Riat was diagnosed with a thrombosis in his hand the first week of October. He was the top scorer of the Lausanne HC (8 points in 9 games) at the time of his injury. Rait was projected to be out for a month. He finished the month of October with three goals and five assists in nine games played.

TRENDING: SAME

OSKAR MAGNUSSON (C/W) – 19 – 2020 Draft (Seventh Round, 211th Overall)
Magnusson began the season at left wing on second line for VIK (HockeyAllsvenskan) and got off to a fast start, recording two goals and two assists in his first five games.

Magnusson found the back of the net again at the end of September.

Magnusson was selected for the Swedish U20 training camp for an upcoming Four Nations tournament in Ängelholm, where they will meet Russia, the Czech Republic and Finland. The matches are played November 12-14. So far this season, including September,  Magnusson has two goals and four assists in 12 games played.

TRENDING: SAME

KHL (VHL/KHL)

BOGDAN TRINEYEV (F) – 19 – DRAFTED 2020 (Fouth-Round, 117th Overall)
Trineyev injured his right thumb/wrist during the preseason and missed the first month of the season for Dinamo St. Petersburg (VHL). He returned to the MHL to rehabilitate on October 8th. Trineyev was called up to the KHL club on October 19 and played left wing on the third line against Ak Bars on the 19th and stayed with the KHL club for the remainder of the month. Trineyev was selected by the Russian National U20 team to participate in training camp to compete in the Four Nations tournament in November. Trineyev finished the month of October with three assists in four games played for MHL Dynamo. He had no points in seven games played for KHL Dynamo.

TRENDING: SAME

The following table is a running summary of the Capitals prospect roster. [Click to enlarge].

By NoVa Caps prospect team

About Jon Sorensen

Jon has been a Caps fan since day one, attending his first game at the Capital Centre in 1974. His interest in the Caps has grown over the decades and included time as a season ticket holder. He has been a journalist covering the team for 10+ years, primarily focusing on analysis, analytics and prospect development.
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10 Responses to Washington Capitals Prospect Report – October, 2021: Axel Jonsson-Fjallby, Bear Hughes And Oskar Magnusson Off To Hot Starts

  1. Anonymous says:
    November 2, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    Love these monthly prospect breakdowns. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    November 2, 2021 at 3:26 pm

    Thought Magnusson might be a busy. Good to see he’s showing some signs of life. We need more Swedes.

    Reply
  3. redLitYogi says:
    November 2, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    as usual, the best and most detailed prospect breakdown complete with video! There is little Kempny can do to get back in the bigs this year: his cap hit is too much. Protas looked good in Tampa Bay last night, I thought, although he did get burned on the Killorn goal. Would like to see AJF get a longer shot in the bigs but, since he’s got to go through waivers, the team may not wish to do that. It sucks for him.

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    November 2, 2021 at 7:52 pm

    Surprised AJF wasn’t the call up this week. He’s been by far the best forward prospect in recent weeks. He’s playing like an animal.

    Reply
    • Jon Sorensen says:
      November 2, 2021 at 10:14 pm

      He is on fire right now. He dominated in the Nears last game, was all over the ice, forecheck and backcheck, playing a solid 200’ game.

      Reply
    • Bernie D says:
      November 3, 2021 at 6:17 pm

      much of it early on also has waiver implications, bringing up Protas and Leason still on their ELC’s deifnitely put them in position to come up instead of a AJF or Pilon who’ve been playing tremendous, as well as AJF getting claimed by Buffalo before season will make them hesitate to call them up unless it’s an emergency call up for the night or a long term inserting in the lineup… good to see the other 2 on that line get the call and look good in their Caps’ appearances so far

      Reply

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