Development Camp

Joe Beninati Has a Message for the Caps Fan in the Customized Beninati Jersey

On Tuesday morning CSN Washington’s Chuck Gormley and NBC Washington’s Adam Vingan reported something right up our alley. Michael Fleetwood, a hardcore Washington Capitals fan, arrived to Development Camp wearing a red Caps home jersey customized with Joe Beninati‘s name on the back.

Caps fan Michael Fleetwood shows his allegiance for Joe B at Caps Development Camp. #CapitalsTalk pic.twitter.com/DjnlmZ1rID

— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) July 8, 2014

Fleetwood had the number 1 stitched below Beninati’s name, just to make sure it was crystal clear who the best play-by-play man in the business is. Emmys are great, but customized jerseys are forever. And cozy.

I had to ask Joe B himself about it.

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By Ian Oland 7 years ago

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Jakub Vrana Talks About Life in DC, is Adorable

Photos by Chris Gordon

At last year’s development camp, Andre Burakovsky was the resident adorable European, talking about eating “cinnamon rollers” and Tom Wilson making him peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. This year’s first-round pick, Jakub Vrana, has high expectations to live up to. He’s doing well so far.

“Okay, let’s get this out of the way: Is it Jakub or Jacob?” CSN’s Chuck Gormley asked as Varna stepped to the podium, trying to rectify the duel names Vrana is known by. “What do you prefer?”

“You can choose,” Vrana responded sheepishly. “Your choice. … Call me whatever you want.”

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By Chris Gordon 7 years ago

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Caps Development Camp Invitee Eliot Antonietti is Swiss and Really, Really Tall

Photo: EQ Images

The Washington Capitals invited free agent defenseman Eliot Antonietti to Development Camp, which began on Monday. Standing six-foot-six and weighing 236 pounds, Antonietti is an undrafted defenseman who just happens to be humangas big. Despite his young age (he’s just 21), he already has professional experience having played 108 games in the Swiss top pro league, the NLA, one of the best leagues in Europe.

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By 7 years ago

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Sixth-Round Pick Riley Barber Continues Unlikely Climb Up Caps Depth Chart

Photo credit: @JessieMartin

The Washington Capitals had a few pleasant surprises from their prospects last year. Tom Wilson showed the kind of offensive output everyone had hoped for. Connor Carrick displayed NHL potential. Garrett Mitchell proved he’s NHL-ready in Hershey. But the “Performance Way Over Expectations” award this year goes to Riley Barber, who had a tremendous rookie year at Miami University. Barber was named CCHA Freshman of the Year and played on the top line during the USA’s surprising gold medal win at World Juniors.

A player who wasn’t drafted until the sixth round has somehow turned into a dominant college hockey player.

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By 8 years ago

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Patrick Wey Wants a Spot on Hershey Bears’ Blueline

Photo credit: @JessieMartin

After completing his four-year career with NCAA powerhouse Boston College that included two national championships and four Beanpots, Washington Capitals 2009 fourth-round pick Patrick Wey signed an entry-level contract with the team in April.

Wey, the oldest player participating in last week’s Development Camp, also his fifth, didn’t play in Hershey late last year due to thumb surgery. Now he’s expected to begin his AHL career this fall with the Hershey Bears, but it won’t be easy. He’s got stiff competition. With newly signed David Kolomatis and Tyson Strachan, the Capitals currently have nine defensemen under contract set to start the season in the minors, and two more have signed contracts with the Bears, Patrick Wellar and Michal Cajkovsky.

When RMNB’s Ian Oland asked the 22-year-old defenseman if he thinks the logjam is good for his development, he said, “Absolutely. I need an opportunity to be competitive and fight for a spot and it’s good. No matter where I am or what organization I am in, the sooner I have to fight for a spot and play my best, the better. So I’m excited to fight for a spot against all these good [players].”

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By 8 years ago

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Nate Schmidt’s GoPro Experience: “A Hundred Pounds of Dough” and More

“Hey, GoPro,” Tom Wilson joked to Washington Capitals prospect Nate Schmidt during a Development Camp practice last week. “Will you settle down? You look like an iRobot out here.”

Schmidt, the University of Minnesota defenseman who signed a two-year deal with the Caps mid-way through last season, stood out on the ice. A tiny GoPro camera was affixed to the top of his helmet. Monumental Network had approached the defenseman earlier in the week asking him to try out the camera to give fans a creative and inside look into drills. Lucky for us, he agreed.

The video is fascinating. It shows the speed of the game and illustrates in vivid detail the tiny decisions each player makes and how they affect the game.

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By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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Caps Prospect Jaynen Rissling Could Become The Calgary Hitmen’s Captain, Looks to Follow in Uncle’s Footsteps

Photo credit: WHL Images

Washington Capitals’ 2012 seventh-round pick Jaynen Rissling, who impressed last year thanks to his grit and character, will return to his home province of Alberta for one more year with WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.

This year will be crucial for the development of the 6-foot-4, 223-pound defenseman as he’ll be playing not only for his team, but also for an entry-level contract with the Caps. And it’s gonna be a special year for him.

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By 8 years ago

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Andre Burakovsky on Tom Wilson: “He Learned Me a Lot of Things Like Eating Peanut Butter”

Andre Burakovsky has been in North America for about a week, but he’s already made himself a new best friend. Rooming with fellow first-round pick Tom Wilson, the Austrian-born Swede was introduced to mac and cheese as he bonded with his new Canadian buddy. Well, RMNB’s Ian Oland asked Burakovsky if his bestie had him try any other new foods while he was here. The forward’s English isn’t perfect, but his answer was.

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By Chris Gordon 8 years ago

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Photos: Fan Fest Concludes Capitals Development Camp

Caps prospects Tom Wilson and Madison Bowey celebrate the red team’s 6-4 scrimmage win. (Photos by Chris Gordon)

The Washington Capitals’ annual summer Development Camp for prospects and free agent invitees came to an end on Saturday. Fans packed Kettler Capitals Iceplex for the final scrimmage, an equipment sale, and an autograph signing from Steve Oleksy.

This was Stevie O’s first FanFest after his wild rise this past season and the level of fan attendance impressed the d-man.

“To see the support here at Kettler this weekend for the Fan Fest and watch the up and coming prospects really shows how passionate they are,” Oleksy told reporters. “When you walk into a building like this mid-summer and they’re at maximum capacity it’s a great feeling as a player.”

Below, take a look at my pictures from the day — you’re really just here for ones of Tom Wilson anyway.

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By Chris Gordon 8 years ago

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Travis Boyd Really Wants You To Follow Him on Twitter (GIF)

GIF by jaybeagles

The other day Tom Wilson was mic’d up during a Development Camp practice. Washington Capitals prospect Travis Boyd found out about it and — this is a first — asked for a shout-out to his Twitter account. Since he’s using one of Chris Gordon’s photos as his avatar, you might as well give him a follow at @TBoyd93.

@TBoyd9…3?

@TBoyd93.

By Ian Oland 8 years ago

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