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The Washington Capitals closed out the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft by selecting defenseman Alexander Alexeyev from the WHL Red Deer Rebels with the 31st pick. Besides adding another Alex and Russian to their organization, here’s the rundown on the Capitals first-round pick:
Welcome to D.C. Alexander Alexeyev! #CapsDraft #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/RVHKI5P7kn
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 23, 2018
With the 31st pick in the 2018 #NHLDraft, the Washington Capitals select defenseman Alexander Alexeyev! #CapsDraft #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/UwQDuYqZRU
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 23, 2018
31st overall: Alexander Alexeyev to the @Capitals
Alexeyev led all @Rebelshockey defensemen in goals, assists and points with 7-30—37 in 45 games. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/JAYuli9mhI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) June 23, 2018
Capitals take with final pick of round one: https://t.co/KMYitt94Dd
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) June 23, 2018
With pick No. 31, the #Caps have chosen big (6-3, 200-pound) Russian defenseman Alexander Alexeyev, who has played for WHL Red Deer for the last two seasons. He's a mobile puckmover in the mold of the modern NHL defenders.
— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) June 23, 2018
“Big, powerful left-shot defender creates serious power in his stride and makes pro-level passes. Suffered a nasty knee injury late last season but looks fully healed this year,” Cam Robinson of DobberProspects.com said.
Capitals like to draft WHL players, particularly D.
2018, No. 31: Alexander Alexeyev
2016, No. 28: Lucas Johanson
2015, No. 143: Connor Hobbs
2015, No. 173: Colby Williams
2013, No. 53: Madison Bowey
2013, No. 214: Tyler Lewington— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) June 23, 2018
Get to know @Alexeyev04 as he talks with the media for the first time after being drafted 31st overall at the 2018 #NHLDraft. #CapsDraft #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/kHx1pq9OEw
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 23, 2018
“[Alexeyev’s a] defenseman that handles the puck really well, moves the puck up the ice, and with their number of really good offensive forwards and the speed they play with, he fits in with the way they want to play,” an NBCSN analyst Craig Button said. “I would say he’s at least two years away. He’s not a physically strong person.”
