“We think we have players that can step in next year,” McPhee said.
On Saturday, the contingent from Washington was particularly eager to gauge the progress of John Carlson, a first-round draft pick last June.
Carlson, a two-way defenseman, earned a longer-than-expected look in training camp last September before he was sent to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League to play for former Capital Dale Hunter. The 19-year-old blossomed there, racking up 76 points (16 goals) in 59 regular season games before notching 22 points (seven goals) in 14 playoff contests.
After the Knights were eliminated in April, Carlson was assigned to Hershey to get his first taste of life in a pro league. Typically, players in Carlson’s situation do more watching than playing. Carlson, though, is anything but typical. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Natick, Mass., jumped right in and has suited up for eight of the Bears’ past nine games.
“For a young guy, he’s very composed and has a lot of confidence, which you love to see,” Hershey Coach Bob Woods said of Carlson. “They’re going to give him a serious look. This experience right now is only going to help him. Look at how Green shaped up. He went through the same process, through two Calder Cup runs, then made the step.”
Carlson hopes one postseason run with the Bears will be enough for him. But if it’s not, he’ll start next season in Hershey instead of returning to juniors, McPhee said.
“My goal is to be in Washington next year,” Carlson said, “and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there.”
Look for 20-year-old defenseman Karl Alzner to move from Hershey to Washington next year, possibly joined by goaltender Michal Neuvirth and forwards Alexandre Giroux, Chris Bourque, Keith Aucoin and Oskar Osala. Neuvirth, in particular, has been a star for the Bears and could join Simeon VarLAmov next season to make up the youngest goal tending duo in the NHL. Read about it.
REDSKINS
1. Marko Mitchell, a 7th round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, is trying to catch on with the Redskins at one of their weakest positions, wide receiver. [The fact that Skins beat reporter Mark Viera describes Antwaan Randle-El as an "established starter" tells you just how weak the position is.] Mitchell is tall and fast and put up huge numbers at Nevada, but the weak competition in the WAC leaves many wondering if he can perform at a higher level. [Hence the 7th round draft status.] However, at wideout, the Redskins need all the help they can get and Mitchell should get a long look this summer. Read about it.
2. Nancy Cooley, the mother of Redskins Pro Bowl TE Chris Cooley, battles breast cancer. “Hurt makes you better,” she says. Read all about it.
Tags: Calder Cup, Hershey Bears, Karl Alzner, Michal Neuvirth, Washington Capitals
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