David Vallorani: A Familiar Face To Watch For On The Reading Royals

The Washington Capitals will scrimmage their new-ish ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals, today at Kettler Iceplex.  The Royals are currently 2nd in the ECHL in wins and are a top tier squad.

It won't be a full game and Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby will play goalie for each team and switch at the half. More on the game from the Reading Eagle:

"The game will include three 20-minute periods and will have referees. There will be no penalties and no special teams. Admission is free."

Before you head out to Ballston, check out one of our favorite Reading players that we saw playing this summer at Caps Rookie Development Camp.

David Vallorani:  At 5'8"Vallorani is not the biggest guy on the ice.  But he plays hard, shows a lot of heart, and after a great D-Camp he earned a contract with the Hershey Bears.  Vallorani was assigned to start his career with the Royals.  Read how the former UMASS-Lowell forward impressed the crowd over the summer.

He may be small, but Vallorani has been impressive all week, displaying his offensive talent with a number of shot attempts on goal and several great centering passes.  He knows how to get the puck to the net, a skill that most of the other players at development camp are lacking.  The four year senior has scored 3 goals in 3 scrimmages and has made his case for being signed by the Capitals organization at some level.

Vallorani has tallied 25 points in 35 games in the ECHL this season so far, which ranks 11th among all rookies. He is tied for 5th on the team in scoring.  It will be interesting if he can repeat some of the magic from his surprising D-Camp performance against the big boys.


Stanislav Galiev was also at D-Camp and has had a disappointing season for the Hershey Bears.  The Russian was sent down to the ECHL on Monday for the second time this season and has 0 goals and 1 assists in 17 games with the Bears.  He also has 13 points in 12 games for the Royals this year.  Not sure if he is in VA for the game or not, if he is, keep an eye on him.

David Civitarese and goalie Sergei Kostenko were both at D-Camp as well.  Civitarese was recently activated from Reserve and should play.  The Reading goalies are not scheduled to play with Neuvirth and Holtby supposed to man the nets for both teams.  Kostenko, Russian goaltender and 7th round pick in last year's NHL Draft, also had a very good rookie camp which included a nice little showdown with first round pick Filip Forsberg over the summer that was quite interesting.  It's ashame we won't get to see him.  You can read about it here.

George McPhee's Son Graham Gets A Lesson From Adam Oates

On Saturday, after the Washington Capitals wrapped up their final scrimmage of Prospect Development Camp, a young man came out to the empty ice rink with a bucket of pucks.  The teenager looked like he had some skills as he fired long range shots into the net.

After a few minutes Adam Oates emerged from the locker room and headed out on the ice to feed the young man passes.  As the shooter skated past the small crowd that remained in the arena, the back of his shirt clearly read, "McPhee"; as in Graham McPhee, son of Washington Capitals General Manager George McPhee.

Graham doesn't live the life of a typical kid headed into his adolescent years.  How many other kids his age can brag to their friends about the time that Alexander Ovechkin gave them an atomic wedgie (video below) while they were on the ice at the 2011 Winter Classic?  Graham gets to do a lot of interesting things because of his father's position.  

George McPhee had a seven year run in the NHL with the Rangers & Devils.  His son is aspiring to follow in his footsteps.  Graham was an All-Star last season in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL), having an opportunity to play in front of several college coaches and scouts. 


What better way is there to improve your hockey skills than by learning directly from NHL players and coaches?  On Saturday afternoon, Graham got to do just that, one of the many benefits of being the son of a professional general manager.




Adam Oates joined the young McPhee on the ice and spent time feeding one-timers to the soon-to-be high school freshman, watching him and analyzing his shot.  After one-timers came catching passes and firing wrist shots, a session where Oates got on the young man for a bad leg kicking habit that he had developed.

The practice session was only about twenty minutes long, but those minutes were probably very helpful to a young man who aspires to play hockey in college and possibly beyond.  Shooting with a former 10-time NHL top 20 scorer isn't a bad way for a kid to spend a Saturday afternoon.  And perhaps one day, young Graham will find himself on the ice during a scrimmage, playing in development camp for his father's hockey team.


Wedgie Video after the jump

David Vallorani Signs With The Hershey Bears

According to David Vallorani, he has signed with the Hershey Bears for the 2012-13 season.  Vallorani confirmed the news with me via Twitter.

Vallorani will join Washington Capitals Development Camp mates Barry Almeida, David Civitarese, Cameron Schilling and T.J.Syner who already have contracts for next season at Hershey.  The Umass-Lowell player was one of the most impressive forwards in camp where he scored 4 goals in the weekly scrimmages, the most out of anyone at camp.


Listed somewhere around 5'8" Vallorani had to fight extra-hard to prove he was contract-worthy.  His speed along with his nose for getting the puck on goal helped him to earn that contract with the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals.


You can read more about Vallorani's impressive camp here and you can congratulate him and follow him on Twitter @Val_5710.


Update 7/16:  The Bears also signed defenseman Scott Wietecha from camp.

Notes:  David Vallorani played four seasons at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell where he finished 5th on the team in scoring in 2011-12 with 29 points.  The senior was a shooting machine, leading the team in shots on goal with 119.  Vallorani went undrafted and was invited to Caps D-Camp as a free agent.

Caps Development Camp: A Week Of Autographs

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We spent the entire week at Kettler Iceplex Covering Caps Development Camp.  This is our final entry from the week of hockey.

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Stewart arrived at the Ballston Mall at 7:00am.  He wasn't going to take a chance with any parking issues.  He wasn't going to try to fight the crowd.  He was going to get Mike Ribeiro's autograph.

The determined Caps fan staked out his territory soon after his arrival and nabbed the first position in line.  It didn't matter that nobody else was there.  It didn't matter that he would have to wait almost 3 whole hours.  Stewart would possess Mike Ribeiro's signature, and nobody would stop him.

(Center) New Caps Center Mike Ribeiro Signing Autographs - (Left) The Line At 9am - (Right) Stewart The Super-Fan

From morning practice sessions on Monday to afternoon scrimmages on Thursday to the Fanfest on Saturday, fans were autograph hungry.  Caps Development Camp was supposed to be a time for the players to learn about NHL-Style hockey but these young prospects learned something else; Caps fans are obsessed with autographs.

D-Camp Day 6: A Game-Like Atmosphere & Fighting

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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As the buzzer sounded, Zombie Nation’s Kernkraft 400 blasted from the PA system.  The crowd was heir feet applauding, and for at least a few seconds the practice ice rink at Kettler Iceplex was transformed into a mini-Verizon Center. 

Anxiously Waiting The Start Of The Scrimmage

While the few chants of “Let’s Go Caps” were mere pin-drops compared to the Verizon Center calls by the Goat, the young players on the ice got to experience some of the passion that fans in the area have for the Capitals.

The team made sure to have the final scrimmage of 2012 Development Camp resemble a real game, not just for the fans, but for the players who hope to one day put on a real Capitals sweater and skate out on the ice at Verizon.  Penalties were called, players spent time in the penalty box, and an announcer recapped each goal and assist as if it were a real game.

Wes Johnson Can't Even Get A Seat

The bleachers were standing room only.  The fans packed in 5 deep around the boards while others crowded the railing on the second floor overlook.  People were standing in the aisles and lined up against the back walkway of the seating area.  The place was jam-packed.

Caps Fanfest 2012 In Pictures

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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On Saturday morning, the Caps concluded their 2012 Development Camp with a special event for all the fans.  Washington Capitals Fanfest was a day filled with fun for the whole family including face painting, street hockey, ice skating, moon bounces, and more.  Hundreds of fans came out for the fun, and here are a few pictures from the event.

 Fans Rush To The Game-Used Equipment Sale

Slapshot Skating With The Fans

Come back later to read about the final scrimmage and the autograph sessions.  Until then the pictures continue after the jump...

D-Camp Day 5: Chicks Dig Goals

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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Cameron Schilling is 23 years old.  He is the oldest player at Caps Development Camp.  With 11 games of AHL experience with the Hershey Bears, he has the most professional experience at camp.  Schilling has 2 games of AHL playoff experience with 2 playoff goals under his belt.  So why aren't the fans screaming his name and knocking over small children to get his autograph?

In a famous Nike commercial, baseball players Greg Maddux & Tom Glavine helped to popularize the phrase "Chicks dig the longball."  Well in hockey, the saying would be "Chicks dig goals".  For a young all-around NHL defenseman like Schilling, that means a lot of hard work being overlooked by offensive-minded fans.

During the week of scrimmages, Schilling showed why he earned minutes during last year's AHL playoffs.  When he is on the ice, the other team has trouble getting shots on goal.  Schilling not only sees the ice well, but he knows what position he needs to be in to disrupt an offensive scoring chance.  And from what his 4 years at Miami (Ohio) show, he isn't afraid to disrupt a game with a penalty (155 career penalty minutes in college).

Despite the lack of popularity, Cameron's grit and grime do not go unnoticed by the coaches, management, or hardcore hockey fans.  He can see the floor, and he is looking for trouble on the defensive end.  Schilling will work on getting NHL ready next season at Hershey, but don't be surprised if before the season is over he is up with the big team at Verizon Center.

D-Camp Day 5: Syner House Rules

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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T.J. Syner has been here before.  In 2011, following his junior season at Umass-Amherst, Syner participated in Washington Capitals Development Camp.   He turned some heads in camp but the Caps chose not to sign him.  Syner went back to play his senior season where he led his team in assists and points.

When the college season came to a close Syner signed a contract with the Hershey Bears for the following season (2012-13) and was given an opportunity to make the team as a late season addition in 2012.

Syner appeared in 10 regular season games for the Bears scoring only 1 point and didn't play with the team in the playoffs.

In 2012 Syner finds himself back in Caps D-Camp with 3 of his counterparts from Hershey; Almeida, Civitarese, & Schilling.   This time he doesn't have as much pressure to prove himself, but he is showing why the Bears gave him a shot last year.

D-Camp Day 4: Kostenko Say, No Borscht For You!

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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Sergei Kostenko was the 203rd player selected in the 2012 NHL Draft.  The Washington Capitals used their final pick, a seventh rounder to select the goalie from a junior hockey team in Russia.  But on Thursday afternoon, Kostenko looked more like an NHL veteran than a 19 year old in his first NHL development camp.

Kostenko made a number of saves that had the people in the crowd's jaws hit the uncomfortable metal bleachers at Kettler Iceplex.  The fans reacted with "oohs" and "ahhs" as well as a number of loud ovations for the Russian goalie.

The highlight of the Thursday scrimmage was a quick battle between first round draft choice Filip Forsberg and Sergei.  

D-Camp Day 4: Vallorani Impresses

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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While the fans at Kettler Iceplex on Thursday afternoon had their eyes focused on the two Washington Capitals first round draft picks Filip Forsberg & Tom Wilson, it was an unsigned free agent out of Umass-Lowell that had everyone saying "Who is that guy?".

David Vallorani, who has progressively gotten better with each scrimmage, stepped up his game in the Thursday matchup and impressed the gallery of fans looking on from the bleachers.  

Getting Ready For Washington Capitals Fanfest

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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This Saturday, July 14th, the Caps are inviting all fans down to Kettler Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia to enjoy the 2012 Washington Capitals Development Camp Fanfest.  Afterwards we are going to head into the mall and go to Rock Bottom to talk hockey and stuff.  Details:

This event requires one to get up before noon, but from the looks of things it will be well worth the grogginess.

The festivities start at 9am and last throughout the afternoon with activities like face-painting, street hockey, a moon bounce, and more fun for children.  And of course I will be trying to participate in these fun & games despite being an adult.  (I'm not ashamed to ask!)

At 9:40 they will open up the side ice rink for FREE open skate.  Another activity where I will most likely injure small children.

The Development Camp teams will take the ice at 10am for a scrimmage, but most young people (and myself) will be running upstairs to meet the newest Washington Capital, Mike Ribeiro, who will be signing autographs at 10am.  I will yell things like "I want my baby-back" and "Someone get me a wet-nap, Ribz is here" until I get ejected from the premises.

After the scrimmage ends and the players get their equipment off, some of them will come out to sign autographs.  It probably won't be as personal as when Filip Forsberg came out the other day at camp, but you can be sure that adults will be knocking over children to get the autograph of that QMHLBOHLW player who will never see the NHL ice.

You can even go to the website now to enter to win an autographed jersey (aka enter to get calls from the Caps & Wiz ticket office every day for the rest of your life).  The site also has more details about the event.

Once everyone gets all those , we are going to head to Rock Bottom around 1pm for some appetizers on me (or whoever gave me that gift card).  So if you haven't met any of us yet, come join us!

Filip Forsberg & Tom Wilson Chatting With Caps Fans

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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After camp on Wednesday afternoon some of the players came out to sign autographs and talk to the fans.  Those guys included the Caps 11th pick in the first round, Filip Forsberg from Sweden and the 16th pick Tom Wilson out of the OHL.

Here is Forsberg chatting it up with the crowd:

More photos after the jump

D-Camp Day 3: Picture Perfect

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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Day 3 of Caps Development Camp took place in Arlington on Wednesday morning with 2 drill sessions and no scrimmage.  The crowd was light but there were still several hardcore Caps fans as well as a handful of puck bunnies.  (seriously they were discussing who was too young to date)

I spoke to one fan who took off from work in order to watch these young guys play.  He commented to me, "George is up there," and pointed above us at the railing.  The fan was mesmerized by his presence as McPhee watched like a hawk from the sky.

During the Second (B) Team drills, Forsberg was clearly who the fans had come to see.  Filip looked a little bigger with Tom Wilson not hovering around and there was just something about him that emits an aura of stardom.  The young Swede missed several open nets and dinged the post as well for the second straight day.  But those are young mistakes by a 17 year old who will have plenty of time to work on them in Sweden or the AHL or wherever he ends up over the next few years.

More Pictures After The Jump

D-Camp Day 2: Stand-Out Players

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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The second scrimmage at Washington Capitals Development Camp took place on Tuesday afternoon at Kettler Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia with new coach Adam Oates looking on.  The intensity level during this scrimmage was much higher than Monday's iteration and the crowd was larger and louder as well.

One of the fan favorites at camp is Tom Wilson, the first round draft pick out of the OHL.  Wilson towers over most of the other players on the ice and he has provided some of the biggest hits of the camp so far.  At one point in the scrimmage, Wilson was tangled up with another participant and he took his opponent down UFC-style, one step away from throwing the KO punch.  However, during Tuesday's scrimmage Wilson was on the receiving end of a few big shots as well, one such shot laying him out on the ice. (Read about Tom Wilson's first day of camp)

Wilson, who lacked speed when competing in the earlier day's speed drills, can get the puck in good position with his strength, but needs to vastly improve his shooting and passing.

The other player that fans have been extra excited about is the Caps 11th pick Filip Forsberg out of Sweden.  Forsberg clearly needs to add some size to his frame, but he is only 17 years old and was outplaying many of the older guys at camp.  On Tuesday in the course of only a few minutes of ice time, Filip missed 2 "lay-ups", one with a completely empty net.  Forsberg could have easily had 2 goals and been the highlight of the scrimmage.

Andreas Martinsen, a free agent out of Norway, is another big player in the mold of Tom Wilson.  His skill is impressive considering his size, and he seems to have a nose for the puck on the offensive end.  Martinsen did fall down during suicide drills earlier in the day.

One of the quickest and niftiest players that seemed to be able to get off a good number of shots on goal despite his 5'8" size was T.J. Syder.  Syder was a free agent that signed with the Bears in March, so fans will get a chance to watch him up in Hershey this season.

David Vallorani, a free agent that played 4 seasons at UMASS-Lowell, scored an impressive long range goal and put another great attempt on net later in the scrimmage.

Stanislav Galiev looked like one of the most NHL players on the ice in terms of his size and skills, and he should get a chance to put in a lot of minutes in Hershey this season.

The Caps resume D-Camp on Wednesday morning, with no scrimmage scheduled for the day.

D-Camp Day 1: Tom Wilson, New Beast Mode

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We will be live at Kettler each day at some point for Development Camp.  So follow us on Twitter @Dru90 @Camcoco10 and @TheDugsSports for live-tweets and check back all week for coverage.

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The Washington D.C. area already has a Beast in the Washington Nationals' Michael Morse.  Well Morse may have some competition in town in a year or so with Beast Mode V2, the Washington Capitals' Tom Wilson.

Not many Caps fans knew much about Tom Wilson before he was drafted out of the Ontario Hockey League.  For most, the first look at Wilson was watching an enormous draftee tower over his accomplices on stage while announcer commentary compared him to an NFL or NBA player.

Those hundred or so fans who came out to Kettler Iceplex on Monday for the Washington Capitals first day of Development Camp now know something else.  Tom Wilson is a beast.

Wilson stood out among the 20+ other participants in Monday's intersquad scrimmage and anytime there was a big hit, the number 43 was close by.  With his large stature and unique wide open mouth look that he plays with, Wilson impressed the crowd that watched from the bleachers.