Photo: Avangard Omsk

Washington Capitals Assistant General Manager Ross Mahoney met with the media following the conclusion of the Capitals’ rookie camp on Monday. As part of his presser he provided an update on Capitals 2022 first-round draft pick Ivan Miroshnichenko, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January, but cleared by doctors to return to skating and workouts earlier this spring.

Mahoney said Miroshnichenko has yet to return to his KHL team, Avangard Omsk, but continues to workout on his own until the league gives him clearance to return to his team.

“He’s progressing, he’s skating, he’s working out. He’s not with his KHL team right now. He has to kinda wait, almost like a medical clearance from the League (KHL). He’s been cleared by doctors, to go out and to workout and to those sort of things. It’s more of a league thing.”

Mahoney said he fully expects Miroshnichenko to return to play in the KHL this season.

“He’s been doing a lot on his own with his father. His father was a coach, also. We’re happy with where he’s at, health wise. it’s so far so good.”

Mahoney praised the 18-year old’s maturity and mental composure throughout the trying time he has gone through since his diagnosis.

“He was always a captain of his under-17, under-18 team, and even the tournament last November with the under-20 he was the assistant captain, so it is probably an indicator of his character…he went through an awful lot but I think it speaks volumes of his character and the type of person he is.”