Graphic: WHL
The Western Hockey League (WHL) announced this week that Washington Capitals forward prospect Alexander Suzdalev was once again named Rookie Of the Month For April. Suzdalev was previously named the WHL Rookie of the Month for December 2022 and February 2023.
Suzdalev led all first-year skaters over the month of April with nine points (3G-6A) over his six games played.
Suzdalev, who hails from Khabarovsk, Russia but competes internationally for Sweden, collected three multi-point games in April including a two-goal performance April 8 versus the Saskatoon Blades.
He finished the 2023 WHL Playoffs with 10 points (3G-7A) in seven games after completing the 2022-23 Regular Season with 86 points.
🚨 SUZY GOES BETWEEN THE LEGS 🚨
We are tied at 2!#LegendsInTheMaking | @Capitals | @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/CtaLxz9Ctk
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 15, 2023
Suzdalev led all WHL rookies in goals (38), assists (48), points (86), power play goals (17), and power play assists (19), and tied for first in points per-game (1.30) during the regular season. Suzdalev was named the Regina Pats Rookie of the Year on March 28. He is a lock for WHL Rookie Of The Year, which has yet to be announced.
Suz-Your-Daddy!! Alexander Suzdalev pulls off The Michigan. His 29th goal of the season #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/kwh8qB2uRf
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 18, 2023
The Washington Capitals announced on April 14 that Suzdalev had been re-assigned from the WHL Regina Pats to the AHL Hershey Bears. Suzdalev and the Pats were eliminated in the first round of the WHL playoffs the previous weekend. Suzdalev has worked out with the Bears but has yet to see any game action.
By Jon Sorensen
With newcomers like Sudz, Miro, we need a very strong coaching staff in Hershey next year. It should be exciting if the incoming are handled correctly. We’ve all seen in colleges how highly touted freshmen can sour upperclassmen who have paid their dues and just how adversely that can affect the team. It is going to call for strong management skills in addition to good developmental skills.
The Caps can help by moving up existing qualified prospects and effecting productive trades for others. But it will take planning and hard work this summer.
Agree. I kind a think Nelson is gone in Hershey after this season, regardless. He’s earned a chance with an NHL team and there are already rumors about him and Anaheim. His replacement is crucial.
Hey Jon I heard some rumor on elite prospects That Hershey Bears Forward number 25 Henrik Bogstorm is leaving for HV71 in Sweden
Not surprised. He’s been a healthy scratch lately.
Yeah, I would be surprised if he wasn’t leaving.
It’s a good move for both sides. Caps took a flyer on him, it didn’t pay.
It’s a good move. Another former first round pick I believe. The flyer on Gabe Carlsson turned out much better. Hope we resign him.
Love Sudz. He will likely drive us crazy over his career but I love his creativity and you can only reign that in so much.
I know we hashed this out before but i don’t know if we actually came to a confirmed conclusion: Can Sudz play in the AHL next year or is he bound to another year of WHL?
“The Washington Capitals announced on April 14 that Suzdalev had been re-assigned from the WHL Regina Pats to the AHL Hershey Bears. Suzdalev has worked out with the Bears but has yet to see any game action..”
That sounds to me like he has graduated from the CHL. I did find this:
“Any player that has reached the age of 19 before the beginning of a season that is of European born or American born that did not start his development in Major Junior may play. (NCAA dropouts, imported drafted Europeans, US developmental players)
and all players that have completed their full seasons in any major recognized league that is over the age of 18.”
Sudz played for HV71 and their junior teams. So it seems to me that he meets that exemption. But I have misread these rules before.
You are correct on rule, Fyre. Good work, as it took me a while to track down the answer. Late last summer he was not designated to a team and I got to wondering what the plan was and the rules regarding a European prospect:
https://novacapsfans.com/2022/08/11/could-18-year-old-alexander-suzdalev-help-fill-the-left-wing-void-in-hershey/
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