Over the last two seasons, Washington has accumulated several prospects and draft picks through trades and free agency, and has steadily developed a powerhouse team in the AHL. With the majority of Washington’s future playing together in the minors, the Capitals’ outlook appears bright as the Hershey Bears are currently still going strong in the AHL postseason. Hershey will host Portland on Tuesday in the deciding Game 7 of the East finals. The winner will meet the Milwaukee Admirals.

 

Forwards

 

Eric Fehr, RW

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’3, Weight: 210 lbs

2003 Draft, 18^th overall

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
70	25	28	53	-12	70

 

Fehr had a very productive first pro season as a member of the Bears. Coming off of two back-to-back 50-goal campaigns in the WHL, Fehr started his pro career almost right where he left off, and lead the Hershey Bears in scoring for nearly the entire year before hitting a late season slump. He finished the regular season fourth-best in team scoring (25 goals, 28 assists), and may have added to those totals if he was not recalled to the Caps to play in the final eight games of the NHL regular season.

 

Fehr was returned to the Bears at the end of the NHL season for the playoff run. Fehr immediately found his scoring touch again, and registered four goals and three assists during the two four-game sweeps against Norfolk and Wilkes-Barre respectively.

 

So far, Fehr has had a very successful transition to professional hockey. He has added nearly 30 lbs of bulk to his frame over the last two seasons, and his skating is also improving. Although he is not the most physical specimen for a gigantic forward, Fehr does get involved and pays the price for loose pucks. He forechecks hard, and has a superb hockey sense that may translate to lots of goals in the NHL someday. However, in order to make it as an everyday player in the NHL, Fehr will have to improve on his regular season –12 plus/minus, an especially poor rating since he was on a team that finished with over 100 standings points.

 

In any event, Fehr is a great prospect with tons of potential, and is a favorite to make the Caps out of training camp this fall. With rumors circulating that Washington may be pursuing a free agent center to help bolster the Caps’ offense, Fehr could see some additional time on the team’s top two lines and may just add a breakout NHL season to complement his AHL success.

 

Tomas Fleischmann, LW

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’0, Weight: 190

2002 Draft, 63^rd overall -- Detroit

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
57	30	33	63	+14	32

 

The last few weeks have been bad on Wall Street, but here’s a young man whose stock is surely going up and up. Fleischmann, affectionately dubbed by fans as “The Flash,” is currently having a breakout year. He concluded the 2005-06 campaign by leading the Bears in goals (30), and finished second on the team in overall points (63). Fleischmann also picks up his defensive assignments well, and his superb two-way ability was also very evident as he finished the season second on the Bears roster in plus/minus (+14). In addition, Fleischmann is also leading the Hershey Bears in playoff scoring, and currently has 20 points (8 goals, 12 assists) in 13 postseason games.

 

Fleischmann’s solid play also earned him some time with the Caps this season, and he appeared in 14 games, finishing his major league stint with two assists. He did appear to be a little overmatched at times by larger, faster defensemen. However, Fleischmann, like most Caps prospects that saw time in the NHL this year, did not get much ice time and was primarily out there to perform third and fourth line assignments.

 

Fleischmann really excels at the speed aspects of the game. Not only can he skate at great speeds, but he can shoot and handle the puck at top speed too. He has a good release and above average shot, and he also possesses decent playmaking skills and can find the open man with crisp, well-timed passes.

 

So far, Fleischmann’s progression has been excellent. In the new NHL built on speed and skating, his overall game could easily propel him into a future second line scorer some day if he reaches his full potential. Look for him to see more increased playing time at the NHL level next season, and also be a good candidate to make the Caps out of training camp next fall.

 

 

Jakub Klepis, C/RW

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’2, Weight: 207 lbs

2002 Draft, 16^th overall -- Ottawa

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
54	11	20	31	-13	49

 

Many thought that this season would be the breakout year for this ultra-talented forward. However, inconsistency continues to haunt his progression, as Klepis frequently would go many games between goals, and rarely put together multi-point performances. He did, however, find his way up to NHL this season, and appeared in 25 games with the Caps, scoring a goal in his NHL debut and following up with an assist in just his second NHL game. Unfortunately for Klepis, his point output in his first two NHL appearances was the high point of his brief NHL season, as the rookie struggled with the speed of the NHL game and saw very limited ice time. In 25 games with the Caps, Klepis registered 1 goal and 3 assists, and had plus/minus rating of -11.

 

In Hershey, Klepis did manage to eclipse last season’s AHL point output of 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists), and did so in 24 fewer games, finishing the 2005-06 regular season with 31 points (11 goals, 21 assists). However, his defensive responsibilities continue to need improvement, as Klepis’ -13 defensive rating ranked near the bottom of the Hershey roster. He has also had a very unremarkable postseason this spring, appearing in only six games and registering only two points (1 goals, 1 assist).

 

Klepis has the size, skating ability, and finishing touch that coaches love. He has all the tools to become a great second line player when his skills and abilities all come together. Despite his inconsistent play, Klepis’ future is not dim as Washington appears content to bring him along slowly in order for him to develop into the type of power forward that his frame and abilities support. Like Fleischmann, look for Klepis to also challenge for a roster spot next season -- at the very worst, see additional playing time in the NHL next year.

 

 

David Steckel, C

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’5, Weight: 220 lbs

2001 Draft, 30^th overall -- Los Angeles

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
74	14	20	34	+1	58

 

“Big Dave” Steckel was one of the surprise free agent acquisitions that the Caps made during last summer’s free agent market. Originally drafted by Los Angeles in 2001, the former Ohio State standout was really never able to blossom into the scoring machine that his outstanding NCAA freshman season predicted that he would become. Instead, Steckel is one of Hershey’s steadiest players, scoring on a consistent basis and playing a key role on the penalty kill.

 

Steckel also played a few games with the Caps this season and did not look out of place. Although he only appeared in seven games with Washington, Steckel managed to be a contributor despite such limited ice time. He did not to score any points though, but he was the lone Caps prospect (other than Ovechkin) to finish with a positive defensive rating (+1). He also saw some time on the Washington penalty kill, and was a fierce competitor on the forecheck.

 

Steckel, a cornerstone and permanent fixture on the Bears’ penalty kill, had a very good AHL season in his first year as a member of the Caps organization. In 74 games with the Bears, Steckel registered 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists), and finished with a plus/minus rating of +1. He has also been a solid contributor in Hershey’s postseason push this spring as well, leading the bears in goals (9), and is currently tied for first in plus/minus as well (+11).

 

The knock on Steckel is his physical play. He’s not a timid player, but he also does not deliver the big hits that someone of his size can bring -- the kind that gives players a moment of pause the next time. However, Steckel gets to spots in spite of his towering size, and has decent scoring touch.

 

Is Steckel a future mainstay in the NHL? Only time will tell. He could be one on the better fourth line players in the NHL someday if he reaches his full potential. Steckel is another player who will likely see some additional time in the NHL next year as Washington continues to evaluate their stable of prospects. However, another year at the minor league level would not be detrimental to his development.

 

 

Joey Tenute, C

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 5’9, Weight: 190 lbs

2003 Draft, 261^st overall -- New Jersey

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
61	20	30	50	+3	60

 

Tenute is yet another intriguing player in the Caps’ farm system. At 5’9, Tenute is hardly a towering presence on the ice, but he is no push over either. Tenute has been able to put up huge numbers at every level that he has played thus far in his career. Although a long shot to ever become a steady NHL player, Tenute’s work ethic and smooth skating skills have definitely turned heads this season as the rookie managed to score 20 goals playing primarily on Hershey’s third and fourth lines.

 

After last season’s monster campaign in which he was named ECHL Rookie of the Year, the Caps rewarded Tenute with a contract this past fall and sent his to Hershey to see if he could build on last season’s stellar play. He did not disappoint, as Tenute’s AHL career began right around where is ECHL one left off. Tenute had a very strong rookie AHL season, registering 50 points in just 61 games. He was also +3, and finished the year with 60 penalty minutes as well. Although his postseason numbers have been modest to say the least (2 assists in 13 games), Tenute is still a cornerstone of this young Hershey squad and is considered a leader both on and off the ice. Tenute also made one appearance with the Caps this season.

Tenute can skate, score, pass, and can stickhandle in high traffic areas at high speeds. Although he is small, he is not afraid of contact and does pay the price down low and along the boards. He’s a long shot, but with the NHL’s new rules promoting skating and speed, Tenute definitely has a better chance now than he did before the lockout. Look for Tenute to continue to hone his skills in Hershey for another season or two, and possibly see periodic call-ups during Washington’s multi-year rebuilding effort which is shaping up to be a collective tryout for young prospects.

 

Boyd Gordon, C

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’0, Weight: 205 lbs

2002 Draft, 17th overall

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
58	16	22	38	+9	23

 

Gordon is probably one of the most likely players in the Caps’ system to have a prosperous and long-term NHL career.

 

After making the Caps out of training camp at the start of the start of the 2003-04 NHL season, Gordon began his NHL career where young forwards could only dream to: on the same line as Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang. Yet, despite the talent that surrounded him, Gordon struggled mightily and was sent down half way through the year to develop in the minors. Following the lockout season where he was one of the Portland Pirates’ leading scorers, Gordon again had a great training camp and started the 2005-06 NHL season with Washington. However, Gordon again showed poor consistency, and found himself recalled back and forth between the NHL and Hershey all season as the center only managed 1 assist in 25 games with the Caps.

 

It would appear that from his modest offensive output that Gordon lacks the ability to score. Actually, that’s not the case at all. Gordon was one of the steadiest players on the Bears’ club this year, and finished the season with 15 goals and 22 assists in just 58 games. Those totals would have surely been higher if he did not appear in 25 games with the Caps, and his plus/minus rating of +9 also certainly speaks for itself. He has also had a great run this postseason too, as Gordon has managed to put up eight points (3 goals, 5 assists) in 14 playoff games this spring.

 

Gordon’s talent lies on the penalty kill. He is also arguably the best penalty-killing forward in Washington’s entire system. He is commonly on the ice when the Caps are shorthanded, and he is most often the lone forward featured during 5-on-3 disadvantages as well. In addition, Gordon also makes very smart decisions with the puck, plays the body, is conscious of his defensive responsibilities, and is a pretty good playmaker as well.

 

In the new NHL where players make constant parades to the penalty box, someone will have to kill penalties, and that’s where Gordon’s presence becomes invaluable. Look for Gordon to make the team again out of training camp next season, and finally become a mainstay in the NHL. After all, once Gordon finds his scoring touch and can translate it -- even for only 35 points per year -- to the NHL level, the Caps may very well have the NHL’s better third-line centers already within their system and ready to play.

 

 

Owen Fussey, C

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’1, Weight: 190 lbs

2001 Draft, 90^th overall

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
50	2	10	12	+2	38

 

With a Hershey team stacked with offensive weapons at every turn, Fussey has really been the forgotten man this year as he has bided his time waiting for another chance to play. But despite the lack of ice time, Fussey has been upbeat, and continues to work hard in practice and prepare for every game as if he is in a starting role.

 

Fussy was a far cry from last season’s offensive output (26 points), as Fussey did not even score half as many points this season with arguably better talent to surround him. He finished the AHL regular season with only 2 goals and 10 assists, and at times, was completely unnoticeable on the ice. In addition, Fussey has only appeared in one playoff game this spring and failed to find the score sheet.

 

Fussey has a good work ethic and displays great leadership skills on and off the ice. He plays a physical game, competes hard every shift, and can always be counted on to give the team his all; however, he is very limited offensively. And although he does play a responsible two-way game, Fussey is still far behind many of the Caps’ prospects when it comes to who will make the next step or not.

 

Right now, Fussey is still young and it is unlikely that he has reached the peak of his development. However, he is still years away from having any NHL potential, and it would appear that he will likely become a great AHL player and nothing more. Look for Fussey to remain in Hershey next year and possibly see a game or two should one of the Caps’ regulars get injured.

 

 

Chris Bourque, LW

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 5’7, Weight: 190 lbs

2004 Draft, 33^rd overall

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
52	8	28	36	-5	40

Perhaps one of Washington’s better prospects, Bourque played in his first pro season as a member of the Hershey Bears. Already a fan favorite, Bourque displayed his tremendous skating and puck handling skills, and despite his size, was able to compete with players much larger than what he was used to playing at Boston University.

 

Bourque’s rookie season was up and down, as the young forward also battled inconsistency and suffered from nagging lower body injuries during the year. He was also the recipient of a vicious check earlier in the season against Hamilton, and was forced to miss eight games due to a concussion that he received during the play.

 

He did, however, manage to score 36 points (8 goals, 28 assists) while skating on Hershey’s second and third lines. And at times, was one of the better players on the ice.

 

Bourque has really bulked up from his draft weight of 170 lbs, and is currently hovering around 190 lbs respectively. At 5’7 tall, weighing 190 lbs means he is tough to knock off the puck. Bourque is another player that should benefit from the NHL’s commitment to speed and skating. However, Bourque still has a ways to go, and he will also have to improve on his defensive play before he becomes a mainstay in the NHL.

 

Bourque was one of only a few players who did not get an opportunity to play in the NHL this year. But look for Bourque to get a few games under his belt next season, and possibly bounce back and forth between the NHL and the AHL in order for Washington to get him more accustomed to the speed of the big league.

 

Jared Aulin, C

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’0, Weight: 192 lbs

2000 Draft, 47^th overall -- Colorado

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
61	11	28	39	-14	38

 

 

A season-ending injury cut short what was a very promising 2001-02 season, leaving many skeptics wondering whether Aulin has ever fully recovered from the effects of the damage done to his shoulder. As of now, Aulin figures to be a really good minor league center and maybe nothing more.

 

Despite that fact that he is one of the Caps’ more seasoned prospects, Aulin was one of the few prospects that was left on the outside looking in with regards to getting playing time in the NHL this season. Aulin has done very little to distinguish himself playing amongst in a very deep Hershey squad, and at this rate, may never become an NHL player. He is not a physical player, is not particularly fast, and does not possess a powerful shot. He also has severe defensive lapses, and his -14 defensive rating was one of the worst on the team all season.

 

Despite that fact that Aulin is a good playmaker, he has far too many holes in his game to be considered a top flight prospect anymore. But teams need depth at every level in order for their franchise to be effective. And Aulin does provide Hershey depth at the center position, especially on the power play.

 

Look for Aulin to continue to play in the AHL. He may see a game or two with the Caps in the future, but even that is uncertain.

 

 

Steven Werner, RW

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’1, Weight: 210 lbs

2003 Draft, 83^rd overall

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
4	0	3	3	0	2

 

 

For four seasons, Chevy Chase, MD, native Steven Werner has consistently been among the leading scorers for the UMass – Amherst Minutemen (NCAA). He wasted no time transferring that scoring touch to the AHL level this spring, and posted 3 assists in 4 regular season games with the Bears.

 

Werner, 21, was recently signed to a two-year contract, and figures to be a prominent fixture in the Caps future plans.

 

Werner is not exactly the most physical player, and at times, does seem to shy away from physical play. He does, however, have good size and really excels at the speed aspect of the game.

 

Werner now joins Caps’ captain Jeff Halpern as the only Washington area natives to play for their hometown club. He has appeared in various Caps’ development camps throughout the years, and has wowed spectators with his speed and skating ability. He will probably make his NHL debut at some point next season, but the common consensus is that Werner will spend a year or two in Hershey in order for the Caps to evaluate whether or not he can be an impact player in the NHL.

 

 

Jonas Johansson, RW

Hershey Bears (AHL)/South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL)

Height: 6’2, Weight: 210 lbs

2002 Draft, 28^th overall -- Colorado

 

	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
Hershey	37	5	5	10	-2	24
South Carolina	5	5	3	8		2

 

 

Originally acquired in a trade that sent fan favorite and team captain Steve Konowalchuk to the Colorado Avalanche, Johansson has done very little to make himself stand out -- for the right reasons anyway. Frequently jumping back and forth from the AHL and ECHL, Johansson has been very inconsistent and it is really unclear as to whether or not he figures to be in Washington’s long-term plan.

 

Johansson is the only player in Washington’s system to play in all three professional hockey leagues this year. Too good for the ECHL, Johansson ripped off 5 goals and 3 assists in 5 games in South Carolina, only to follow that performance up with a mere 5 goals and 5 assists in 37 games with the Hershey Bears.

 

Washington brought Johansson up for the season finally against conference rival Tampa Bay, and despite limited playing time, Johansson actually looked pretty good in his NHL debut. Although he did not register a point, he did make a few good plays and was wide open on several instances that would have led to scoring chances if his linemates could have gotten him the puck. He also appeared in two postseason games with Hershey this spring, and made the best of his opportunity by scoring a goal.

 

Johansson is the perfect NHL specimen. He has great size and skating ability, can shoot the puck and stickhandle like the wind, and has the knack to find open spaces on the ice. For some reason, all of Johansson’s skills never seem to come out at the same time. Johansson is also very shy to physical play, and can get rattled at times by taking bad retaliatory penalties.

 

Johansson’s contract expires after next season, and it would appear that this will be his last chance to make a name for himself with the Caps’ organization. It is expected that he will be playing full-time in Hershey next year as the Caps look to evaluate him and see if he will figure into their long-term goals.

 

 

Defensemen

 

Mike Green, D

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’1, Weight: 205 lbs

2004 Draft, 29^th overall

 

Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
56	9	34	43	+1	79

 

 

Green’s professional career got off to an exciting start this season. After a sensational training camp with the Caps last fall, Green was a surprise last-minute roster cut and was sent down to Hershey to begin his pro career in the minors. However, his stay was short lived, as Green was recalled within the season’s first week, and shined on the Caps blue line this year.

 

Green played very well in his 22 games with the Caps this season, and finished his first major league stint with 1 goal, 3 assists, and a plus/minus rating of -8. Green was definitely one of Washington’s steadier defenders as the young rookie showed poise, grit, and great determination right from the start. He showed absolutely no signs of being rattled, and seemed very comfortable with puck, carrying it out of his zone, and also making sharp outlet passes to breaking forwards. He is a great skater, plays a truly superb heads-up game, and has great instincts as well.

 

Green did struggle at times with the overall speed of the pro game, and did appear to have some difficulty with the more powerful forwards of the NHL. However, that’s to be expected with young defenders, and Green’s play did nothing to cause alarm about his future potential -- the favorite to be the next marquis defender in the Caps’ franchise.

 

Green also excelled in Hershey this year, and was even named to the AHL All-Rookie team. He also showed signs of complete dominance from time to time this year, and at times, even controlled the flow of the game when he was on the ice. Although he has at times said that he prefers a physical game, Green can also rack up the points, and was one of Hershey’s steadiest point producers from the point position. In 56 games with the Bears, Green put up a whopping 43 points (9 goals, 34 assists), and registered 79 minutes in penalties. Green’s postseason stats are equally as good. The rookie currently has 1 goal and 8 assists in 12 games, and is a respectable +11 defensively.

 

Green is starting to look as if he will be one of those guys who breezes through the minor leagues en route to a fantastic NHL career. He already appears too good for the AHL game, and is a near shoo-in to make the Caps’ roster right out of training camp next fall. Green is arguably the best defensive prospect in Washington’s system, and is one of the better defenders to come out of the 2004 draft. Pending any surprise free agent acquisitions on defense this summer, expect Green to play next season in the NHL and never look back.

 

 

Jeff Schultz, D

Hershey Bears (AHL)

Height: 6’7, Weight: 225 lbs

2004 Draft, 27^th overall

 

	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	+ / -	PIM
Hershey*	6	1	3