The Washington Capitals opened their 2022 training camp on Wednesday with mostly off-ice activities, but will get things going in earnest on Thursday at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. However, training camps for many of the Capitals prospects have been underway for some time now, including for those prospects playing for college teams this season.
Goaltender prospect Chase Clark opened training camp with Quinnipiac earlier this month. Unfortunately the camp has not gone totally according to plan.
In his annual preseason presser on Wednesday, Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold reported that Clark, who did not participate in Capitals rookie camp or main training camp, was dealing with injuries in the lead up to Quinnipiac season.
According to Quinnipiac head coach Rand Pecknold in today’s ECAC preseason media call, freshman goaltender and Capitals draft pick Chase Clark has dealt with some injuries in the buildup to the season. #ECACHockey #ALLCAPS
— Cameron Levasseur (@c_levasseurr) September 21, 2022
It should be noted that the Capitals did not invite college prospects to either of their camps, choosing to let them begin their seasons with their college teams.
#ALLCAPS Chase Clark working on his dangling skills at Quinnipiac’s media day. (🎥: @QU_MIH ) pic.twitter.com/9qkz8emXIR
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) September 16, 2022
Clark, 20, committed to playing for Quinnipiac early in the 2021-22 season, which will provide a solid next step in his development. Unfortunately for Clark, Quinnipiac’s number one goaltender, Yaniv Perets (undrafted), committed to return to Quinnipiac this season, which will no doubt impact Clark’s playing time. Perets posted a 1.17 goals against average last season, which broke the NCAA record of NHL All-Star Jimmy Howard (1.19), who set the record with Maine in 2004. Perets was named to the All ECAC preseason team on September 21.
Clark had an excellent showing in the Capitals development camp scrimmage on July 15, pitching a shutout and making numerous notable saves. (More here.)
Chase Clark with a nice toe save. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bmVv8qFYpn
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) July 15, 2022
Clark is a 6’-6” right-handed goaltender from Williamsville, New York. He was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round (#183 overall) of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He remains unsigned by the Capitals.
Chase Clark: 2022 Annual Review And Forecast
Clark is a raw talent, but has been impressive in his short time in the Capitals organization. In an era of big goalies, Clark will provide just that, and is currently the tallest netminder in the organization. According to the Buffalo News, Clark grew two inches in the summer of 2020 alone, so he may not be done growing.
By Jon Sorensen
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Elite Prospects Profile: Chase Clark
Hopefully a short term thing for Chase. I’ve been impressed with his play to date. Kolzig has a very favorable review of him following development camp, saying he was raw, but could be a pretty good netminder. And while playing time might be limited this season, it’s nothing but a positive that he is backing up Perets. He should learn a lot this season.
Nice to hear that we have several tall goalies in the pipeline, although one is unsigned but still looking good.