The Washington Capitals selected center Jackson Crowder in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL Draft. The Caps have exclusively picked forwards so far in this year’s draft, adding their second center in Crowder.
Crowder, 18, is a Texas native from the USHL’s Chicago Steel. He is committed to playing college hockey at Ohio State University.
The 6-foot-3, 184-pound centerman split his time in the USHL last season between the Steel and the Sioux City Musketeers. He first recorded 10 points (5g, 5a) in 31 games for the Musketeers before moving to the Steel and posting 14 points (6g, 8a) in 25 games.
NHL Central Scouting had Crowder ranked as the 207th-best North American skater coming into the draft. The big forward is not afraid to get physical in front of the net and dropped the gloves several times in the USHL last season.
Crowder is the first player out of the USHL that the Capitals have selected this year. They’ve taken a player from the league in five straight drafts.
