The Washington Capitals announced several roster moves on Monday morning after the Frozen Four was determined in the NCAA Tournament this weekend.
The Capitals signed David Gucciardi, a 2022 seventh-round draft pick, to a two-year entry level contract after the prospect defenseman’s Michigan State fell in the first round of the tourney. The team also set its plans with Ryan Chesley, one of the top defense prospects in the system.
According to Capitals PR, Chesley will sign an amateur tryout with the Hershey Bears later this week, and has committed to signing a three-year NHL entry-level contract in the future with the Capitals. Chesley just completed his junior season with the University of Minnesota after they were eliminated by UMass in the first round of the tournament.
Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Chesley will sign an ATO contract with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League later this week. Chesley is expected to sign a three-year NHL entry-level contract at a later date.
— Capitals PR (@CapitalsPR) March 31, 2025
The decision-making with Chesley gives the Capitals flexibility to see where the talented, 21-year-old defenseman fits in for the rest of the 2024-25 campaign and gives the Caps the option to start his entry-level deal this season or next. The Hershey Bears, who are looking to three-peat, could use the depth on defense as they’ve seen Hardy Häman Aktell, Logan Day, and Dmitry Osipov all depart the organization this season and are without Aaron Ness and Jake Massie in their lineup due to injuries.
Signing an ATO with the Bears would end Chesley’s NCAA eligibility and officially begin his professional hockey career. The ATO status will prevent the Caps from potentially burning a year on Chesley’s eventual entry-level deal, as he is not a slide-eligible prospect.
The Chesley and Gucciardi signings come as Bears head coach Todd Nelson said over the weekend he expected “reinforcements” from Washington, per Bears Hockey Nation.
Chesley, a Capitals 2022 second-round pick, was the captain of the University of Minnesota this season, finishing the year with 20 points (8g, 12a) in 40 games.
The 21-year-old defenseman has attended the past three Capitals development camps and was teammates with fellow Caps prospect Ryan Leonard at the 2024 World Junior Championship, where the two won a gold medal with Team USA.
