Image
ARLINGTON, V.A. — Andrew Cristall has been a revelation for the Washington Capitals.
The rising prospect, who fell to the second round in the 2023 NHL Draft, went the distance last fall, making it late in training camp before the team ultimately sent him back to the WHL. The hope was that Cristall, who was not yet eligible for the AHL, could use that time back in juniors to continue building confidence and dominating the league.
Advertisement
He did just that, and then some, putting up 132 points in the regular season between the Kelowna Rockets and Spokane Chiefs before adding 41 points in 19 playoff games.
“It was a really fun year all in all,” Cristall said.
Now Cristall, 20, is ready to go pro, and the Capitals believe he’ll make it hard on the coaching staff to send him down to the AHL’s Hershey Bears as they look to fill numerous vacancies up front with their top prospects.
“I think he’s right in there,” general manager Chris Patrick said. “It’s going to be a hard decision.”
For Cristall, he’s trying to zero in on the smaller details of his game, while he’s been working to improve his skating, defensive-zone play and battle along the boards.
Advertisement
“Just being as ready as I can to try and come into camp and make the team. Same sort of thing, getting bigger, faster, stronger,” Cristall said.
The 5-foot-10 winger has also been adding muscle and wants to keep building strength going into the season.
“Obviously putting on weight in the right areas and muscle. I’ve done a pretty good job so far … if i stay on the right track it’ll be good,” Cristall said.
Looking forward to this season, Cristall is focused on staying in the present moment, and isn’t letting how close he got last year dictate how things go this time around.
Advertisement
“Every year is new, and I don’t really think it’ll matter what I did last year,” Cristall said. “I’m turning a whole new page, and I have a whole new opportunity to make the team and put my best foot forward.”