PHOTO: DANY GERMAIN, VAL-D’OR FOREURS

After missing a majority of the QMJHL’s regular season with a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery, Washington Capitals forward prospect Haakon Hanelt returned for the last hand full of the regular season games at the end of April. The goal was to get in shape in time for the Gatineau Olympiques’ postseason.

Hanelt scored his first two goals of the postseason on Monday night. His first tally came midway through the opening frame and was the first score of the game. He would collect a rebound of his own shot and backhand it in for the score.

#ALLCAPS Haakon Hanelt with 2 goals on Monday night, his first two tallies of the postseason. The first marker came midway through the first period. pic.twitter.com/NenytLA0sU

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) May 10, 2022

His second marker came midway through the second period and gave the Olympiques their first cushion of two goals at 5-3. Hanelt, who has playing left wing on the third line, collected another rebound and finished.

#ALLCAPS Haakon Hanelt with 2 goals on Monday night, his first two tallies of the postseason. The first marker came midway through the first period. pic.twitter.com/NenytLA0sU

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) May 10, 2022

Hanelt also had a nice rush in the early going. Ultimately, he didn’t convert, but the rush showed off a bit of his stick handling skills.

#ALLCAPS Hakkon Hanelt also had a nice rush in the early going, but was unable to convert. Nice stick handling. pic.twitter.com/5K75DtJmL2

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) May 10, 2022

Drafted by the Capitals in the 5th round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Hanelt made the jump from his home country of Germany to the CHL at the start of the 2021-22 season and got off to a good start before he injured his shoulder.

The 18-year-old is one of several recent late-round draft picks by the Capitals that has caught our attention in their early development stages. Last summer Hanelt scored a goal and two assists in an international tournament (more here) and then committed to coming to North American, just after he turned 18.

“The main reason for coming to Canada is to learn to play on the smaller rinks. My goal is to play in the NHL. I will have a better chance of getting there by continuing my development by playing Canadian junior hockey,” said Hanelt in September.

“I really want to focus on my adaptation to smaller ice surfaces. Last year, playing for the (German) pros, I learned to pay attention to all the little details. I was playing against men. By playing against young people of my age, I will be able to find my offensive side. I like to make plays and pass to my teammates. I don’t care who scores the goals. All I want is for us to have them as a team,” said Hanelt.

It’s a shame the regular season was a wash for Hanelt, but keep an eye on the him down the road. He could possibly be the steal of the 2021 draft for the Capitals.

By Jon Sorensen

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