Caps Development Camp 2011

Dmitry Orlov: “My Agent Gave Me Rosetta Stone”

Dima speaks with Igor after Saturday’s scrimmage (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

At his third Capitals Development Camp last week, Russian defenseman Dmitry Orlov not only showed off a little bit of his well-known offensive side, but a hard-hitting, physical game as well, laying out a couple massive checks during the week. And though the soon-to-be 20 year-old has begun to adjust his game to the North American style of play, Orlov said getting used to the change in language and cultural will still take some time.

For now, Dima is heading back to his hometown of Novokuznetsk, where his training for next season will resume, before heading back to Washington in September. After the final scrimmage of camp on Saturday, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner was able to talk to Orlov, who dished on his new English teacher, his hopes for next season, and more.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Photos: Group B Rolls Past Group A, Taking Camp’s Final Scrimmage

Photo credit: Chris Gordon

Over 3,000 fans packed Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Saturday, packing the Arlington, Virginia practice rink to watch the final scrimmage of Washington’s 2011 Development Camp.

In a physical, fight-filled match (you can check out photos of the day’s fights here), Group B rolled past Group A, 5-2 lead by T.J. Syner’s two goals. Karl Stollery, Reid Edmonson, and Stanislav Galiev also tallied for the winners, while Andrew Cerniwchan and Luke Lockhart scored for the losers.

Below, I recap the game in photos.

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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The Fights From the Final Game of Caps Development Camp

Dustin Stevenson and Aaron Schmit settle their differences with their fists. (Video via Suzanne K.)

On Saturday, during the third and final scrimmage of the Caps’ Development Camp, the prospects turned the physicality up notch in front of a capacity crowd at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. There were three fights, each of them featuring a different combatants.

In the first period, 2009 sixth-round draft pick Garrett Mitchell got in his third throw-down of the week, challenging Group B’s Mike Bovin after a rough run. The two traded a few punches before Mitchell lost his balance and were separated by officials.

In the second stanza, Dustin Stevenson — a 6’5” behemoth — got in his second fight of camp and did so with a bit of flair, bending over and chucking his helmet through his legs before engaging Aaron Schmit. Stevenson got the upper-hand of the altercation, despite absorbing several heavy shots from Schmit at center ice.

Finally, in the third, ‘Dirty’ Danick Paquette looked for blood after being hit in open ice by Karl Stollery (video can be seen at 8:17 here). The fight, however, was a hugfest as neither landed any good punches.

Below the jump, check out my photos from all the bouts.

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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Patrick Wey: Blogger, Bronze Medal Winner, and Up-and-Coming Caps Defenseman

Wey (white) chips the puck down the ice. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Wey waits his turn during drills. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

After being drafted in the fourth-round (115th overall) in 2009, Patrick Wey has been to the last three Development Camps hosted by the Capitals, holding his own every time. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native — more on that later — was a standout in American juniors with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL before making the jump to Boston College. The powerhouse Eagles, who have one the deepest defensive corps in NCAA hockey, won a national championship his freshman year. Unfortunately, Wey missed the 2010 Frozen Four after contracting mononucleosis.

This past year, the 20 year-old continued his progression, tallying his first — and so far only — collegiate goal against the University of New Hampshire on March 5. Wey was also was one of five Capitals prospects to participate in the World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York, capturing a Bronze medal with Team USA along with fellow BC d-man Brian Dumoulin. He is also a teammate of the Penguins’ 2009 second-round pick Philip Samuelsson, son of former Swedish NHL star Ulf Samuelsson and one of the last cuts from the 2011 US WJC team.

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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Photos: Group A Takes Fight-filled Scrimmage in Shootout, 4-3

Garrett Mitchell attempts to headbutt Scott Wietecha into submission. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

After losing the first scrimmage game, Group A turned the tables on Group B on Thursday to take the second match of Development Camp, 4-3, in the shootout.

Garrett Mitchell, David Citviarese and Danick Paquette tallied Group A’s goals in regulation, while Travis Boyd scored twice along with Reid Edmondson in Group B’s losing effort. Mitchell also added the only shootout goal.

Below, I recap the game in photos.

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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Photos from Day 3: Group B Beats Group A, 4-2, in First Scrimmage of Caps Development Camp

Danick Paquette dishes out a hit along the boards.

After participating in workouts for first two days of the Capitals’ annual Development Camp, 19 of the organization’s prospects and 25 free agent invites took to the ice for the first intra-squad scrimmage of the summer on Wednesday.

Group B — wearing the red sweaters — controlled the play throughout the game at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, taking it by a score of 4-2. Caleb Herbert, Stanislav Galiev, Travis Boyd and Aaron Schmit scored for the winning team while Andrew Cherniwchan and Garrett Mitchell tallied in the losing effort.

“The thoughts were is they played hard,” Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters after the game. “I think there was a lot more physical contact than the last two development camps, at least early on for the first game. … They’ve gotten better every day, I expect them to be even better tomorrow and by Saturday I’ll be a pretty good game.”

Forward Cody Eakin, a third-round draft pick in 2009 and a veteran of three camps, attributed the style of play to the players desire to make an impression on Washington’s brass.

“They’re some big guys out here and everyone is fighting for a job, a second chance and a second look so it was pretty physical. Guys are stepping up and there wasn’t a lot of room out there.”

Below, I recap the game in photos.

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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The Dustin Stevenson/Garrett Ross Fight

Video via YouTube user freakinandpeakin

In the third period of Wednesday’s Development Camp scrimmage, Capitals prospects Dustin Stevenson and Garrett Ross dropped the gloves. The fight, which lasted about 20 seconds, started after Aaron Schmit scored for Group B, giving them a 4-1 advantage. The 6′ 5″ Stevenson landed a majority of the punches, but Ross — a veteran of 24 OHL fights — landed the hardest punch, a sharp haymaker that elicited “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd.

Now I’m sure some of you are wondering why the heck two players “technically” on the same team would fight each other. And that my friends, is the beauty of hockey. All of the players in camp are competing for jobs and specific roles within the organization come September. Ross certainly gave Group A an emotional lift, dropping the gloves with a player five inches and 50 pounds bigger than him and hanging tough, though they ended up losing, 4-2.

Below the jump, Chris Gordon shares his photos of the bout.

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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Dmitry Orlov: “In the Playoffs, It’s All About the Team”

Dima participates in a drill during the first day of Development Camp.

Photos by Chris Gordon

When Metallurg Novokuznetsk’s season ended in early February without a playoff berth, Dmitry Orlov had two options. He could finish the year in Russia again with Metallurg’s MHL affiliate, the Novokuznetsk Bears, or begin his professional career in North America. After dominating the KHL’s junior circuit and winning the Davydov trophy as the MHL Playoff MVP in 2009-10, Dima needed a new challenge. So he negotiated an agreement with his KHL club and flew over to America to sign a contract with the Washington Capitals.

On February 27th, Orlov impressed fans and media alike in his AHL debut against the Albany Devils. Not only did he register a point in his first game as a Hershey Bear, he inspired The Patriot-News’s Tim Leone to exclaim,”That’s the best first 20 minutes from a 19-year-old D I’ve ever seen in this league.” Orlov went on to score his first AHL goal — ten days later — on March 9th against the Worchester Sharks and finished the year with nine points in 19 games.

After taking a brief vacation in Turkey, the defensive prospect is back in America, and participating in his third Development Camp. So far, the reports are positive.

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By Igor Kleyner 12 years ago

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Day Two of 2011 Caps Development Camp in Photos

Never have Dmitry Kugryshev’s eyes been photographed like this! (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

On the second day of Caps Development Camp, Groups A and B held their separate on ice workouts ahead of the first real action of the summer, Wednesday’s scrimmage at 3 pm. The only other notable happening included new signee Joel Ward’s first in person press conference with local media. Yeah, it was that kind of day.

Below, I documented the day in photos so you can see what you might have missed!

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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Mattias Sjogren gets high-sticked, loses tooth, remains lovely and Swedish.

When asked for his thoughts on 23 year-old Swede Mattias Sjogren, Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau had little to provide Monday morning at Washington’s Development Camp.

But three hours later, and with Sjogren missing a tooth, the bench boss was impressed.

“A minute in, I’m going, ‘Are you kidding me?’” Boudreau said. “He went around the net and I think the goalie’s stick came up and knocked out a tooth and welcome to North America.”

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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