Alexander Suzdalev returned to the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League (WHL) following his participation in Capitals rookie camp and the Capitals main training camp on September 27. He’s played in just six games so far for the Pats, but has already posted two two-goal games, the second coming on Friday night against the Swift Current Broncos. Not a bad start to the season for the Capitals’ third-round draft pick.
Suzdalev’s first goal came at 15:33 of the first frame. Suzdalev told Regina media this week that he wants to work on the parts of his game that will be needed in the NHL, including his battling in front of the net. He did just that for his first score.
Alexander Suzdalev with his 4th goal of the season. Nice fight in front of the goal for the tally. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/rkIxA1P6Wn
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 9, 2022
Suzdalev’s second goal of the game came on the power play at 2:19 of the second period. He showed great patience collecting the puck, letting it settle down and then waiting to burry the puck. He was named the first star of the game.
Alexander Suzdalev with his second goal of the game. His patience and calm during play has stood out so far this season. His second two-goal game so far this season. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/q6KR9FNSpy
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 9, 2022
Suzdalev has been fun to watch so far this season, and we’re only in October. He plays a very loose style of game, which can burn him at times and has led to a turnover or two, but you like to see the free spirit in his game.
Suzdalev had an opportunity for the hat trick early in the final frame and went for the between-the-legs shot.
Alexander Suzdalev goes for the hat trick with a between the legs shot. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/eK6aH1XD1g
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 9, 2022
Later in the period, Suzdalev and Connor Bedard, the projected first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, teamed up on the power play. Bedard attempted a backwards between-the-legs shot and Suzdalev attempted the Michigan, all in one brief sequence.
Connor Bedard and Alexander Suzdalev are fun to watch. Here, a backwards between-the-legs attempt by Bedard and a Michigan attempt by Suzdalev, all on one power play sequence. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/9B3HuvXDYM
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) October 9, 2022
”I’ve tried it a couple of times. I tried it in practices and in games before,” said Suzdalev about the lacrosse attempt. “I think a small area, small rink here, made more room for skill. Just trust the instincts, I tried for the goal.”
Pats head coach John Paddock was asked how Suzdalev compared seeing him first hand to what he expected of the player before he arrived in Regina.
”I knew he was a highly skilled guy, he was ranked late in the first round, like say 12 months ago, 13 months ago, in the initial rankings. His season went off road a little bit…I’m not sure who said it, the agent group, which is Newport, or Ross Mahoney(Capitals assistant general manager), he needs to get stronger.”
Suzdalev, 18, also recorded a two-goal game against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday night. (More here.) He now has five goals and an assist in six games played for Regina.
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.
By Jon Sorensen
WOW, so far so good. Just wish that some of the WHL games were on tv in this area as well as the AHL games.
You can order the game packages for both. They even come with smart TVs apps so you can watch on the big screen.
Sure looks like he’s having fun and not just being productive. Good for him. I hope he stays healthy.
His games are fun to watch. Maybe too much “hot dog” in his game for NHL, but coaches will smooth it out. Important thing is to let him keep is free wheeling style.
He’s 18. Glad to see that he is able to really enjoy his game.
One of the Caps’ alumni last night mentioned how much fun Ovi has scoring even when it’s practice. Why is that worth noting? It must be because that is exceptional which means that for too many it has become just a job.
I’m not a fan of these tricks but I am of a teenager playing at a high level and still having fun doing it.
Well put. I heard that interview with the alum as well. Gotta have fun. Ovi has enjoyed the ride every inch of the way.
I liked Vanecek, and it’s nice to see that the return for him was worth the trade. It appears that Suzdalev has a higher ceiling than Vanecek; and is certainly fun to watch. Playing with Bedard is going to give him more opportunity to work on his skills that many other possible options would have been. That’s exciting.
I’m not a fan of the Michigan. The old NHLers would’ve annihilated guys for trying that #%^! and I’m with the old NHL way.
I’m glad Suds has the skill to attempt it but showing up the other team is uncool. I’d like to see that move penalized. Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Or Cradling!
I agree. It’s not hockey. Carrying the puck around is lacrosse.
Bedard and Suzdalev are gonna go off this season.
I just hope Suzdalev’s numbers aren’t being inflated by playing with the consensus #1 pick of the coming draft (call it Rob Brown Syndrome). No denying the kid has skill though. Hope he develops into all he should be.
It’s certainly a valid concern, Kim. I have the same, to a certain extent. So far this season they have played on different lines, but are together on the power play, so I think that’s maybe a good mix to start. Like you said, he’s not dependent on a super star on his line.
I guess another way I look at, he also needs to get used to playing with next-level players, like he would be doing in the NHL.