When Ivan Miroshnichenko met with the media for the first time at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, after he was called up from the Hershey Bears with teammate Hendrix Lapierre on Tuesday, he was smiling ear to ear.
“I was so happy, and nervous at the same time, when I heard the news. [I’m] just enjoying being around here right now.”
Ivan Miroshnichenko after practice today following his call-up from Hershey.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/uHHQVPAo8R
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 19, 2023
“I’m so happy and nervous at the same time when I hear the news and just enjoying being around here right now so just so happy to be here,” Miroshnichenko said through Aliaksei Protas translating.
Miroshnichenko was called up to the Washington Capitals, Tuesday morning, for the first time.
With T.J. Oshie being placed on injured-reserve, and Sonny Milano still ailing, the Caps wanted to see a different look heading into Wednesday’s matchup with the New York Islanders. But despite the progress that Miroshnichenko has made on the ice, there is no guarantee that the Ussuriysk native will suit up for the game.
“He’s shown signs of improvement through the process down there and obviously we know the offensive ability that he has and scoring that he’s done down there,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said following Tuesday’s practice. “His play away from the puck, his details inside of his game. Those have gotten better over the last little stretch.”
Miroshnichenko has had a lot of excitement surrounding him since he was drafted back in 2022. He was considered a steal when the Capitals picked him at No. 20. He was projected to be a top 10, even as high as a top 5, selection. However, the 19-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which is why he fell down the ranks. Fortunately for Miroshnichenko, Washington was willing to take the risk knowing the upside of his game.
“I’m nervous because basically I went through so many circumstances and different situations in my life. Worked hard for that for my whole life. Everybody’s nervous, family’s nervous, so just so excited about tomorrow,” Miroshnichenko said.
Now, the cancer free Miroshnichenko is having an outstanding rookie season with the Hershey Bears. He leads all rookies on the team with 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 27 games and is tied for seventh in the AHL in goals among rookies.
Though he is still learning English and adjusting to life in North America, along with the style of hockey, getting a small taste of the pro ranks in the preseason helped him heading into his first season. He racked up two assists in two exhibition games with the Caps.
“The first couple of games in the NHL at the preseason level, I was starting to get used to that level in North America, so it was a little different,” Miroshnichenko said. “I think these two months in Hershey, I got more confidence to play in North America because it’s regular season, [and those are] little bit different games.”
If Miroshnichenko does suit up against the Islanders, he will be playing on the right side with fellow countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov and will play on Washington’s second power play unit.
“I’m so happy to play with such a star player like Kuzy. He is Russian speaking so he can help me a lot to play on that level and he’ll help me, that’s good,” Miroshnichenko said. “I hope I’ll assist on his couple goals, and he will assist on mine.”
The Capitals will take on the Islanders at 7:30 p.m. at Capital One Arena.
By Jacob Cheris