Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall played against his former team, the Kelowna Rockets, for the first time since being traded to the Spokane Chiefs a week ago.
In his return to Kelowna’s Prospera Place, the 19-year-old winger recorded four points (2g, 2a) in the 10-0 Chiefs win. Cristall now has 71 points (31g, 40a) in 31 games this season.
After not tallying a point in his first game with the Chiefs, Cristall has 11 (5g, 6a) in his last two games. He kicked things off against the Rockets with a quick-strike breakaway goal 17:07 into the first period.
Cristall’s next offensive involvement came 58 seconds into the second period, making a beautiful fake-shot pass to Berkly Catton for an easy goal.
The Capitals’ 2023 second-round draft pick got on the board again with another breakaway marker 16:06 into the second.
Cristall finished his night with an assist on Catton’s hat-trick goal. The two top NHL prospects combined for eight points (5g, 3a) in the win and 22 points (9g, 13a) in their last two games.
Before puck drop, Kelowna welcomed Cristall back with a tribute video showcasing highlights from his parts of five seasons with the team. Cristall finished his time with the Rockets as their second all-time point scorer (340).
So many memories over the years, on and off the ice.
Welcome back, AC. pic.twitter.com/OpgZxKtFWG
— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) January 16, 2025
Cristall was named the First Star of the Game, increasing his point-per-game rate to 2.29, the highest mark in the entire CHL. The prospect is on pace for a 131-point season (57g, 74a) if he plays in the remaining 26 regular season games for the Chiefs.
Cristall’s next game will come against fellow Capitals prospect Terik Parascak and the Prince George Cougars on Friday night.
