Alex Suzdalev, a Washington Capitals’ third-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, made his long-awaited American Hockey League debut against the Springfield Thunderbirds on Saturday — a moment that was two years coming.
Suzdalev, who made the team out of training camp last season but was loaned to Sweden before ever playing, was scratched in the Hershey Bears’ first six regular season games this year before getting a jersey from head coach Todd Nelson. Nelson told RMNB in the preseason that prospects would not get handouts. “We’re the Hershey Bears,” he said. “You have to earn your spot here. It’s just the way it is.”
The moment was not lost on Suzdalev’s teammates who gave the young forward the rookie treatment before the game. Suzdalev went out onto the ice first during warmups and took a solo lap before the rest of the team joined him on the ice.
When the puck was dropped officially marking his first-game milestone, Suzdalev skated on the right wing of the fourth line, making a trio with alternate captain Riley Sutter and Ryan Hofer.
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Suzdalev nearly notched his first AHL point early in the game as he set up Sutter for a chance with a beautiful, leading backhand pass, but the centerman could not convert.
The 20-year-old winger finished the night a minus-1 and took a tripping penalty late in the third period. Hershey beat Springfield 6-2.
Suzdalev’s last full season with the same team came in junior where he tallied 86 points (38g, 48a) in 66 games for the Regina Pats. At the end of the 2022-23 campaign, Suzdalev was named to the CHL’s All-Rookie Team. He was a teammate and sometimes linemate of Connor Bedard.
