Washington Capitals forward prospect Alexander Suzdalev was named the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Rookie Of the Month for December. The announcement was made by the WHL on Wednesday.
MORE FROM THE WHL
Calgary, Alta. – The Western Hockey League announced today that Regina Pats forward Alexander Suzdalev has been named the WHL Rookie of the Month for the month of December.
Alexander Suzdalev with his 21st of the season. A PPG, this time against Ninja Turtles. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/bi9tCsrAPe
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 31, 2022
The Washington Capitals prospect collected 17 points (6G-11A) with the Pats in December, earning points in all but one of his 10 appearances.
The product of Khabarovsk, Russia, who competes internationally for Sweden, enjoyed six multi-point efforts for Regina this past month, a total which included three-point nights December 4 at Edmonton and December 30 at Prince Albert.
He recorded his fifth multi-goal game of the season with two tallies December 16 at Moose Jaw.
Alexander Suzdalev picks up a loose puck in the zone and shovels a backhander, 5-hole, for his 18th goal of the season. He has points in 8-straight games, points in 17 of last 18 games, 31 points over last 18 games. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/eb8EpXZEr9
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 15, 2022
The 6-foot-3, 171-pound forward leads all WHL rookies with 21 goals and 47 points from 35 games played this season; his 12 power-play goals and 24 power-play points are also first among first-year WHL players.
Suzdalev was originally selected by the Pats in the second round of the 2021 CHL Import Draft. He was a third-round selection by the Washington Capitals in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Alexander Suzdalev converts on first shootout attempt of the season. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/xiqA6KJsSP
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) December 15, 2022
Alexander Suzdalev and the Regina Pats are next in action Wednesday, January 4 when they pay a visit to the Brandon Wheat Kings (7:00 p.m. CT, Westoba Place).
More on Suzadalev’s month of December can be found in our Monthly Prospect Report here.
By Jon Sorensen
His teammate Connor Bedard is having a pretty pedestrian WJC so far. Only averaging 4 points a game. I expected at least 6 points a game. Just proving that he’s overhyped.
I’ve had the pleasure of watching/tracking all of their games this season. It’s been a blast, I really look forward to the games. Some prospect games we watch/track are like watching paint dry, but it’s a full-on circus with Bedard and Suzdalev. There was one sequence earlier this season where Bedard tried a between the legs shot, Suzdalev then tried The Michigan and then Bedard followed that up with a Michigan attempt. All in 30 seconds.
Suzdalev has great raw skills. Really rough around the edges, but I really like this pick.
I don’t believe the Rays were prepared for a heavily rebuilt Solar Bears team as Orlando won in OT 3-2 Wednesday. Hughes scored the first Rays goal and Maass the second. Rays just looked disorganized. Clay stopped all but 3 of the 38 shots and I feel was the best Rays player on the ice. Let in a shortie which was all his fault but mostly made great saves without a lot of support. One save was SportsCenter worthy. I think Bear is on a 7 or 8 game point streak. He is averaging one goal every two games, is second in goals and first in points.