Andre Burakovsky during last year’s rookie game. (Photo: Chris Gordon)
Preparation for 2014-15 NHL season begins this week as rookie camps kick off around the league. Capitals’ camp will start today, and will end next Tuesday with a 3PM rookie game that has been held every (non-lockout-shortened) year since the Caps’ re-build.
Caps rookie camp features all Caps prospects from the CHL and Europe as well as those who turned pro this summer, including prospects ranked two, four, and five in our latest prospect rankings. Of the 20 participants, seven are free agents in the NHL who participated in the Caps Development Camp in July. Three of them signed to play in the AHL with Hershey this season.
Two top Caps picks from each of the last two drafts will be present: Andre Burakovsky and Madison Bowey in 2013 and Jakub Vrana and Vitek Vanecek in 2014.
There are a few other top Caps prospects who cannot be returned to junior leagues. These players will be looking to leave a good impression for a potential mid-season calls-up, most notably Chandler Stephenson, Caleb Herbert, and Nathan Walker.
Interstingly, Burakovsky is listed as center/left wing, which probably hints at him getting another look at the center position following an experiment at training camp which was considered a success. According to Hershey Bears head coach Troy Mann, playing beside him will be Vrana and versatile veteran Herbert. The second line will be built around Stephenson and Walker, who have played on the same line in camps before, forming a quick, dynamic, and hard-nosed duo.
Here’s the full schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 11
4:15 p.m.: Practice (Capitals Rink)
5:15 p.m.: Player media availabilityFriday, Sept. 12
10 a.m.: Practice (Arlington Rink)
11 a.m.: On-ice testing (Capitals Rink)
12 p.m.: Player media availabilitySaturday, Sept. 13
9:30 a.m.: Practice (Arlington Rink)
10:15 a.m.: Practice (Capitals Rink)
11 a.m.: Player media availabilitySunday, Sept. 14
9:30 a.m.: Practice (Arlington Rink)
10:15 a.m.: Practice (Capitals Rink)
11 a.m.: Player media availabilityMonday, Sept. 15
9:30 a.m.: Practice (Arlington Rink)
10:15 a.m.: Practice (Capitals Rink)
11 a.m.: Player media availabilityTuesday, Sept. 16
3 p.m.: Capitals vs. Flyers Rookie Game
Post-game media availability
Flyers Skate Zone
601 Laurel Oak Road
Voorhees, New Jersey
