Washington Capitals forward prospects Alexander Suzdalev and Andrew Cristall are no longer with the Hershey Bears as the AHL club attempts to return to the Calder Cup Finals for a second consecutive year.
Suzdalev’s absence was first revealed when the Capitals’ 2022 third-round pick re-shared a video to his Instagram Story on Monday originally posted by @hfcrossfitvetlanda. The text written by the gym read “@alexandersuzdalev in da house 💪👍” and featured the winger doing squats in his hometown of Vetlanda, Sweden.
A Hershey Bears spokesman told RMNB that Suzdalev returned home early to start his summer training. Andrew Cristall, the Capitals’ 2023 second-round pick, was also dismissed. Both players technically remain on the Bears’ roster.
Suzdalev was first assigned to the Bears on May 11 after his WHL season with the Saskatoon Blades ended. The Russian-born forward had 25 points (9g, 16a) in 30 games for the Blades after things did not work out with Mora IK of the Hockeyallsvenskan at the beginning of the year. Suzdalev recorded only three points (2g, 1a) in 13 games for the Swedish club.
Cristall’s season is officially over after having a career year with the Kelowna Rockets. He posted 111 points (40g, 71a) in 62 regular season games while notching 15 points (4g, 11a) in 11 playoff games.
Cristall spent about a month with the Bears skating and working out with the team.
Both players could participate in Capitals Development Camp, which usually occurs shortly after the NHL draft.
