Photo: The Record
On Wednesday the Washington Capitals announced their roster for this year’s rookie camp, which is set to begin on Thursday at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. One name that made the roster may not be that familiar to most Capitals fans, but there’s a good chance that by the end of September they will be.
Simon Motew met momentary disappointment following the conclusion of this year’s NHL Entry Draft. The right-handed defenseman’s name was never called. However, the disappointment didn’t last long, as his phone immediately began to ring from team’s calling trying to fill their development camp rosters. The Capitals placed their call to Motew and he was in Washington a day later for the team’s development camp.
According to The Record, Washington has been high on Motew since the winter.
“They just kept in contact and showed they really wanted me there and it was great,” said the 19-year-old, who attended Nashville’s development camp last year. “I just really tried to make a name for myself while I was there and show that I deserved to be drafted. I thought I fit in really well.”
Motew indeed fit in and impressed Capitals coaches at the development camp. So much so he was invited to take part in the team’s rookie camp this week and main camp later this month.
The Draw
According to Elite Prospects, Motew has a number of high-end skills:
“His hands and skating are very clean. Hip pocket handling, exploding into gaps, transitioning constantly. Motew defends 1-on-1 situations relatively well, especially off the rush where he matches the speed of attackers and forces them to dump the puck before the blue line.”
However, It may be Motew’s recent offensive outburst that caught the eye of the Capitals scouting department. Looser pandemic restrictions in the U.S. allowed Motew to play 21 games for the Chicago Cougars in the United States Premier Hockey League in 2021. Motew recorded 16 goals and 29 assists in those 21 games. Impressive numbers for a defenseman.
We’ve seen players go undrafted simply due to draft timelines not aligning with a players natural development – a “late bloomer” if you will. We saw this most recently with Clay Stevenson. A late uptick in his development made him a highly sought-after undrafted free agent earlier this spring. The Capitals were fortunate to win his interest.
The pandemic could be another factor, as it made playing time for players scarce and NHL scouting a challenge. So much so, we could begin to see a few players emerge on NHL rosters who simply slipped through the draft cracks because of the pandemic. Simon Motew could be one of those players.
The Chicago native chuckled when asked if he’ll suit up in the stall next to NHL superstar Alexander Ovechkin.
“I don’t think I’ll be speaking with him,” he told The Record back in July. “He’s too big time for me. But it will be cool to see him. I’ve watched him in the NHL since I was about five years old.”
Capitals rookie camp begins on Thursday with off-ice activities. The players will hit the ice and begin meeting with the media on Friday.
By Jon Sorensen
Related Reading:
Capitals Release Roster And Schedule For 2022 Rookie Camp
Another right dee which i like. Sounds like he moves well and his offensive groove is starting to emerge.
How does it work from here Jon? I assume the caps options are to either sign him to an NHL contract (highly unlikely given they don’t have many to give, or scout him and let him head back to Kirchner. Then he re-enters the draft again next year and anyone can draft him (probably a 6th or 7th round pick). Given his age of 19, I don’t think they can sign him to an AHL contract. Is that correct?
I thought the rules for North American players was that they became true free agents after the 2nd draft in which they’d been passed over. Is he a D+2?
If they were high on him, why didn’t they draft him? (Granted, the Caps really liked the guys they got this year so there’s that. . .)
He is D+1 (2003). This was 2004 Draft year. So i think he has to sign an NHL deal (not an AHL deal).
They can sign him, but he‘ ll return to Kitchener for one more season, regardless. He turns 20 in March and would be eligible for Hershey next fall.
Need good, fact right D-men, sign him and lets see him in Chocolate Town in the spring!
Wonder why we didn’t draft him. Our late round choices were not inspiring.
Thought the later round picks were pretty solid, better than previous seasons. Which picks are you specifically referencing?
Because his potential isn’t very high. The Cougars in the US Premier League is a Tier III juniors team, so his stats from that season–only 21 games, so a very small sample size–don’t really give a good picture of his true offensive potential. His 17 points in 53 games in the OHL last year does.
Remember that Eric Fehr was a 50-goal scorer in juniors.
So your completely dismissing the fact the Capitals were very interested in him six months prior to the draft? I think they have a better feel for him. As for stats from COVID year, it clearly states possible reasons for catching the Capitals attention, not what paints a good picture of the player (that’s your idea). He’s a defenseman. Two completely different topics. Maybe re-read.
You sound like Motew stole your girl. 😂
Comparing a forwards offensive stats to a defenseman’s offensive stats doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.
Terrible example. Fehr played 16 years in NHL. And wasn’t a defenseman. What is your point?
See my reply above. I figured that my point was obvious.
50 goal scorers in juniors doesn’t mean 50 goal scorers in the NHL
45 points in 21 games in a low-level juniors league doesn’t mean that offense at higher levels, either.
How about Hofer or Guicardio (or whatever)
Hofer is attending Capitals rookie camp this week. Gucciardi is not, but is in the thick of training camp with Michigan State.
Appreciate your in depth prospect coverage. Best in Capitals universe…by far.
Meant why didn’t they draft him over Hofer or Gucci?
I believe both Hofer and Gucci are D+2 and are 2002 birth years. More mature in their builds and game. I liked both of those late round picks. Motew is further away. Always good to get some extra bodies.