The Capitals have welcomed Tom Wilson back to DC ahead of the start of training camp.
Wilson hit the ice on Monday morning for the team’s informal skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Other recent arrivals at the skate included Brandon Duhaime, Anthony Beauvillier, Hendrix Lapierre, and Ethen Frank.
Wilson had a career year last season, remaining one of Washington’s most important players while setting personal highs in goals, assists, and points. Alongside Alex Ovechkin (44 goals) and Aliaksei Protas (30 goals), Wilson was one of three Capitals players to hit the 30-goal threshold, ending the year with 65 points.
Off the ice, Wilson continued to develop his role as a leader on the team. He served as a full-time alternate captain in 2024-25 after sharing the role with TJ Oshie the prior season, and he is widely expected to become the franchise’s 15th captain whenever Alex Ovechkin retires.
“That guy’s the heart and soul of this team,” Logan Thompson said of Wilson in March. “Works hard every night and competes for us and sticks up for guys.”
Wilson’s success attracted the attention of Team Canada ahead of the 2026 Olympics, putting him in the running for a roster spot in Milan in February. He attended Canada’s National Teams Orientation Camp last month.
Both Duhaime and Beauvillier return to the Capitals after first coming to DC last season — Duhaime signed as a free agent last summer, while Beauvillier joined the team via a mid-season trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Duhaime recorded 21 points (9g, 12a) in 82 games (and became known for his locker-room barking), while Beauvillier tallied five regular-season points (2g, 3a) and six playoff points (2g, 4a) for Washington before re-signing with the team in July.
After spending most of the 2023-24 season in the NHL, Lapierre struggled to keep a roster spot on the Capitals last season, playing 27 games and recording 8 points (0g, 8a). He eventually returned to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, where he recorded 32 points (7g, 25a) in 32 games.
Monday’s informal skate included a series of drills as well as a full-rink four-on-four scrimmage. A separate group of prospects later took the ice after the larger informal skate, with participants including Ilya Protas, Ryan Chesley, and Alexander Suzdalev.
The Capitals’ official preseason activities will kick off with Rookie Camp from September 12-15 in Annapolis, MD, with the first on-ice day of training camp set for September 18 at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
