Capitals prospect Ryan Chesley saw his NCAA Tournament end early when Massachusetts knocked the Golden Gophers out in a first-round upset, Thursday.
Minnesota forced overtime with a goal near the end of regulation but were sunk just 4:49 into the extra frame by the Minutemen. Chesley did not record a point in the 5-4 loss, seeing his junior season completed after posting 20 points (8g, 12a) in 40 games.
— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 28, 2025
With the loss, the college junior can now sign his entry-level contract with the Capitals. The 2022 second-round draft selection may be even more likely to do so after the exodus of several teammates in the two days since their loss.
The Golden Gophers lost four players to NHL organizations, including Jimmy Snuggerud (Blues), Oliver Moore (Blackhawks), Sam Rinzel (Blackhawks), and Matthew Wood (Predators). Snuggerud and Wood were junior classmates with Chesley.
Chesley reposted the announcement of his teammates’ signing contracts to his Instagram story.
The 21-year-old defenseman has attended the past three Capitals development camps. Chesley was teammates with fellow Caps prospect Ryan Leonard at the 2024 World Juniors, where the two won a gold medal with Team USA.
Per PuckPedia, the Capitals have three standard player contract slots open out of the maximum 50 an NHL team has. If Chesley were to sign with the Caps, he’d likely be sent to the AHL’s Hershey Bears for the end of their regular season and eventual playoff run.
If Chesley were not to sign, he’d be expected to return for his senior season with Minnesota. The Capitals have until August 15, 2026, to get him under contract, or he will become a free agent.
