Photo: @ReginaPats

Many of the Washington Capitals prospects have already begun training camps with their respective clubs, with most beginning camp last week. Alexander Suzdalev, the Capitals third round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, has begun workouts and scrimmages with the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Suzdalev has hit the ground running, scoring goals in each of the team’s scrimmages over the first few days of Pats training camp. He potted a pair in Monday’s rookie scrimmage. His first goal came in the first period and was the first of the scrimmage.

#ALLCAPS Alexander Suzdalev scored twice in today’s Regina Pats rookie scrimmage. His first was the first of the game. pic.twitter.com/Nz1c6JoqPw

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) September 5, 2022

Suzdalev’s second goal of the game came on a penalty shot. He faked between the legs and tucked a backhander past Sam Fontaine to give Team Blue a 5-2 lead.

#ALLCAPS Alexander Suzdalev’s second goal of the game came on a penalty shot. He faked between the legs and tucked a backhander past Sam Fontaine to give Team Blue a 5-2 lead. pic.twitter.com/RZCs6ycPMz

— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) September 5, 2022

Suzedalev has found the pre-season score sheet early in training camp, here taking a feed from 17-year-old sensation Connor Bedard. (More on the Bedard-Suzdalev relationship here.)

The Bedard-Suzdalev chemistry is already growing 👀

Team White leads Red 4-1 after the 1st period.#ItsGoTime pic.twitter.com/rKOG7GkDEa

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) September 3, 2022

Bedard is now reunited with Suzdalev, as the pair played on the same HV71 team during Bedard’s year in Sweden. Bedard raved about Suzdalev following practice on Saturday.

“He’s so skilled and it seems like he can find me all the time.” – Pats forward Connor Bedard on playing with Alexander Suzdalev.

Full Media Availability following today’s morning scrimmage >> https://t.co/FNToTPNhPD pic.twitter.com/H98UwETNTE

— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) September 3, 2022

The Capitals selected Suzdalev in the third-round (70th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. They acquired the pick as part of the trade that sent goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils on second day of the draft.

The Capitals announced on July 15, the last day of the team’s development camp, that they had signed Suzdalev to a three-year deal. Suzdalev will earn $775,000 in each of the first two seasons of the deal and $800,000 (NHL) in the third and $82,500 in the AHL.

Suzdalev and the Regina Pats begin their WHL season on Friday, September 23 when they host the Moose Jaw Warriors, however, it is likely Suzdalev will be in Washington for Capitals rookie and training camps.

By Jon Sorensen