Photo: Guelph Storm

Washington Capitals prospect Cameron Allen will undergo shoulder surgery on Aug. 30., the Guelph Storm announced on Wednesday. Allen, a right-shot defenseman, was drafted by the Capitals with the 136th overall selection, in the fifth round, in the 2023 NHL Draft. 

General Manager George Burnett announced today that veteran defenseman Cameron Allen will undergo shoulder surgery on August 30th. Allen is expected to return to the Storm lineup in the new year. pic.twitter.com/kxwl8XVarJ

— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) August 16, 2023

The Toronto, Ontario, native had 25 points (five goals, 20 assists) in 62 games for the Guelph Storm of the OHL in the 2022-23 season. The year prior, he was awarded the Emms Family Award, which is given out annually to OHL Rookie of the Year. That same year he was named to the OHL First All-Rookie squad, after posting up 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 65 games. 

In the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Allen was the captain of the U18 Canada squad and led them to a gold medal. He racked up seven points (one goal, six assists) in five games. His six assists led the entire tournament. In the U18 World Junior championship, he led Canada to a bronze medal.

Capitals Select Cameron Allen In The Fifth Round Of The 2023 NHL Entry Draft

Before the year began, he was at one point slated to be a first round pick, but he had confidence issues in his second campaign, mostly mental, which hurt his stock. But once Washington selected him, he was regarded as a steal.

“I struggled a bit with consistency this season. It’s a big mental thing for me, but something that I’ve continuously worked on and look forward to working on more. It’s going to be something that can really help me round out my game and have a consistent performance every night,” Allen said in an interview with Mike Vogel.

The 18-year-old rearguard is described as a mobile two-way defenseman. He has good hands and has very good gap control. Allen is expected to return to the Storm lineup at the start of the new year.

By Jacob Cheris