Annapolis, MD - Andrew Cristall arrived at Washington Capitals Rookie Camp focused on translating off-season training into a breakthrough professional debut. The 19-year-old forward, a second-round pick in 2023, spoke to reporters after the first day of camp, emphasizing his preparation for the upcoming season and the confidence gained from previous experiences with the institution.
Cristall acknowledged the excitement of beginning his professional career, stating, “Yeah, it’s super exciting. It’s what I’ve been working towards for a while, and especially this summer doing some things to kind of prepare for that, but super, super happy to be here and pretty pumped up to go.” He detailed a summer dedicated to physical conditioning, hinting at improvements in his skating. “I feel a lot faster,” Cristall implied, though he did not elaborate on specific training methods.
He also drew upon his experience in last year’s preseason and a strong season in the Western Hockey League (WHL). “I think a good amount [of confidence]. I think throughout the preseason that I was here and then another good year in the dub, I think I can kind of bring confidence in both those things,” Cristall said. However, he stressed the need for consistent effort: “You’ve got to prove it every day…you don’t want to get really too complacent. You always kind of want to keep pushing.”
The Capitals encouraged Cristall to focus on winning while playing for Spokane and Kelowna in the WHL last season. “They just said go back to the dub and try and win, try and win a championship, be a leader…and try and win at the end of the day,” Cristall recalled.
Cristall highlighted the strong camaraderie among the influx of first-year professionals entering the organization. “It’s pretty special.I think all the guys here, and we’re super close,” he said, adding that the group shares a collective ambition: “hopefully we can all make it one day and hopefully win.”
He also praised teammate Ilya Groshkov, noting his size, skill, and hockey IQ. ”He’s a horse…He’s just so smart. His stick is so good. He can pick corners, and he’s just, yeah, a force on the ice.” Cristall and Groshkov spent time after the skate discussing the game and exchanging tips.
While Cristall hopes to earn a spot on the Capitals’ roster, he is prepared to begin his professional career with the AHL’s Hershey Bears, where he has been a playoff black ace for the past two seasons, though he has yet to play a game for the team.
