Rookie Camp Begins...Season is Close

Rookie camp opened up this past Sunday, signaling the beginning of the hockey season for the Capitals and most teams around the NHL. 

And in turn...the Bears and the AHL.

That also means that this blog will become much more active over the next few weeks in preparation for the season.  I will have preview posts, discussions on the roster, Capitals discussion, and a look around the East Division and the AHL.  So look for all of those things over the next few weeks leading into the first game.

Today...I give you links.  Mostly Bears related.

Dmitri Kugryshev has left the organization and returned to Russia to play in the KHL.  This doesn't entirely surprise me as he was likely headed to South Carolina or the rafters most nights.  He has a lot of talent and I would fully expect him to get a shot somewhere else in the NHL at some point.

Rookie camp schedule and roster.  Camp started on Sunday and goes through tomorrow with the rookie game against the Flyers.

Braden Holtby prepared for a season in Hershey.  Obviously he is hoping to make the Capitals, but he understands the likelihood of that.  More than likely he is headed for a second straight season as the #1 in Hershey and the top call up option in Washington.

Caps announce training camp schedule and roster.  Camp starts on Saturday with the first preseason game coming Tuesday in Baltimore.  Additional names will be added to the roster after rookie camp has concluded.

Dmitri Orlov is managing his biggest hurdle in North America...the language barrier.  With Kugryshev returning to Russia there is no one in Hershey to translate for the young defenseman.  The Caps have helped out by getting him English lessons this summer and into the fall.

Garrett Mitchell looks to make the Hershey roster.  He will have a tough time getting regular playing time on the deep roster, but his style of play (very Matt Hendricks/Jay Beagle like) should help. 

Cody Eakin upset with his development camp performance is looking to make amends during rookie camp.  He has a legitimate shot at the Caps opening night roster.  Even if he ends up in Hershey I can all but guarantee that it will not be for the full season.  He will play in the NHL this season.

John Walton discusses Mitchell as well. 

And finally, the folks over at Sweetest Hockey on Earth did an interview with new Bears play by play announcer Scott Stuccio.  Looking forward to hearing some road games this year and seeing how he does.  It will be different but soon enough it will be normal again.