The Washington Capitals announced their 21-man roster for this year’s Rookie Camp on Wednesday afternoon. The camp, taking place again in Annapolis, Maryland, starts Sunday, September 13.
Among the participants are some of the club’s top prospects, including Cole Hutson, Ilya Protas, Lynden Lakovic, and Andrew Cristall. Washington’s most recent first-round pick, Finnish center Oliver Suvanto, will not be in attendance as he already started his season with Tappara in the Finnish Liiga.
Seventeen attendees are Capitals draft picks, while the other four are undrafted free agents from North America’s top junior leagues.
Capitals 2026 Rookie Camp Roster
| No. | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Andrew Cristall | Forward |
| 14 | Lynden Lakovic | Forward |
| 97 | Gavin Lesiuk | Forward |
| 58 | Eriks Mateiko | Forward |
| 18 | Terik Parascak | Forward |
| 62 | Ilya Protas | Forward |
| 65 | Maxim Schafer | Forward |
| 66 | Petr Sikora | Forward |
| 51 | Tyus Sparks | Forward |
| 84 | Logan Stuart | Forward |
| 91 | Alexander Suzdalev | Forward |
| 49 | Patrick Thomas | Forward |
| 54 | Cam Allen | Defenseman |
| 96 | Zack Bleick | Defenseman |
| 41 | Ryan Chesley | Defenseman |
| 93 | David Gucciardi | Defenseman |
| 44 | Cole Hutson | Defenseman |
| 64 | Brian McFadden | Defenseman |
| 45 | Leon Muggli | Defenseman |
| 1 | Harrison Boettiger | Goaltender |
| 82 | AJ Reyelts | Goaltender |
Hutson will be attending his first rookie camp with the Capitals, as he was previously prevented from doing so due to his NCAA enrollment at Boston University. Lakovic and winger Terik Parascak are the lone first-round picks who will be on the ice.
Neither of the two goaltenders attending camp is under contract with Washington, with Harrison Boettiger most recently playing in the WHL for the Kelowna Rockets and AJ Reyelts also playing in the WHL for the Penticton Vees.
Nine of the attendees played for the AHL’s Hershey Bears last season, a group led by Protas, Cristall, Ryan Chesley, and David Gucciardi.
A total of 21 players (12 forwards, seven defensemen, two goaltenders) will be in attendance, including 17 Capitals draft picks. Full schedule of the festivities can be found at the link below.https://t.co/pvGkD63jlI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 9, 2026
The camp will be held at Navy’s McMullen Hockey Arena within the Brigade Sports Complex from September 13 through 15. The skates are open to the public.
2026 Capitals Rookie Camp schedule
Sunday, Sept. 13
Start of Capitals Rookie Camp
10:30 am – Goalie ice (McMullen Hockey Arena)
11 am-12:30 pm – Practice (McMullen Hockey Arena)
Monday, Sept. 14
10:30 am – Goalie ice (McMullen Hockey Arena)
11 am-12:30 pm – Practice (McMullen Hockey Arena)
Tuesday, Sept. 15
Final Day of Capitals Rookie Camp
10:30 am – Goalie ice (McMullen Hockey Arena)
11 am-12:30 pm – Practice (McMullen Hockey Arena)
