Jackson Crowder is the toughest prospect the Washington Capitals have drafted in quite some time.
Crowder, a 6-foot-3, 196-pound forward, knows how to throw hands, and he showed that off in a big way for the USHL’s Chicago Steel on Friday night. The 2025 fifth-round pick dropped the gloves in the second period of the Steel’s game against the Youngstown Phantoms, duking it out with defenseman Brody Berard.
The two players met at center ice and threw haymaker after haymaker after haymaker in what could be the USHL’s Fight of the Year.
Crowder pummeled the smaller Berard for the majority of the fight, but the scrappy rearguard did find his way back into the bout towards the end. After trying to knock each other senseless for a good 30 seconds straight, the two patted each other on the shoulders before heading off the ice.
As a result of their fight, each player received 15 minutes in penalties, matching five-minute majors for fighting and 10-minute misconducts. Crowder has racked up 72 penalty minutes this season.
Crowder, who is committed to Ohio State in the NCAA, is also not just a tough customer. The 18-year-old centerman leads the Steel in scoring this season with 44 points (20g, 24a) in 43 games. He is the only player on the team averaging over a point per game and the only one to hit the 40-point mark.
Crowder attended last summer’s development camp and should be at the next one in July before starting his college career with the Buckeyes in the fall.
