Dima speaks with Igor after Saturday’s scrimmage (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

At his third Capitals Development Camp last week, Russian defenseman Dmitry Orlov not only showed off a little bit of his well-known offensive side, but a hard-hitting, physical game as well, laying out a couple massive checks during the week. And though the soon-to-be 20 year-old has begun to adjust his game to the North American style of play, Orlov said getting used to the change in language and cultural will still take some time.

For now, Dima is heading back to his hometown of Novokuznetsk, where his training for next season will resume, before heading back to Washington in September. After the final scrimmage of camp on Saturday, RMNB’s Igor Kleyner was able to talk to Orlov, who dished on his new English teacher, his hopes for next season, and more.

"Boom!" (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Igor Kleyner – Now that the Dev. Camp is over, what are your impressions?

Dmitry Orlov – Well, this was my third camp, and I think for me it was the best of them all. I am leaving in a very good mood.

Igor Kleyner – Are you paying attention to what is being said about you in the media and on the internet? You have become quite a center of attention around here.

Dmitry Orlov – Yes. Of course I follow the news, obviously for now just the Russian sites. Of course it’s nice when they write about you. Nevertheless, I realize I have plenty more to learn and a lot of room for growth in order for me to make it here in the NHL.

Igor Kleyner – So the objective for this year is not to go back to Hershey?

Dmitry Orlov – Even if I go back to Hershey, I would really like to try myself in Washington this year and I am going to do everything I can to achieve that.

Igor Kleyner – But, honestly, what would be your personal preference — to stay here, be the team’s seventh defenseman, and probably spend most of the season in the press box, or go back to Hershey to play a lot of minutes every game, possibly on the team’s top defensive pair?

Dmitry Orlov – You know, frankly, I don’t know what is a better option for me. I can’t look into the future and tell you what would be better

Igor Kleyner – And if you are in Hershey, what are your plans for this year’s living arrangements? Are you still going to be roommates with Dima Kugryshev?

Dmitry Orlov – I am not sure. There is still plenty of time to take care of that.

Igor Kleyner – And where are you guys living right now?

Dmitry Orlov – We have been staying in the hotel right here, but we are leaving now. Our flight is at 5 o’clock, so we are leaving at 2:30.

Igor Kleyner – Have you managed to make any new friends among your potential future teammates?

Dmitry Orlov – Well, it’s a bit difficult for me to interact, I have to do it through Stas and Dima, but I do know a few good guys here who are in this camp for the second or third time like me and we have a good relationship.

Igor Kleyner – How is your English improving?

Dmitry Orlov – I am trying… (Smiles)

Igor Kleyner – So what is you favorite approach to studying English?

Dmitry Orlov – My agent gave me Rosetta Stone course, I read and listen to the disks. I also try to listen to what the guys around me say. Of course speaking is still very difficult for me, but I already understand some, even if it’s just a few words here and there. More and more when I listen to the explanations, I catch a few familiar words, and I then understand.

Photo credit: Chris Gordon

Over 3,000 fans packed Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Saturday, packing the Arlington, Virginia practice rink to watch the final scrimmage of Washington’s 2011 Development Camp.

In a physical, fight-filled match (you can check out photos of the day’s fights here), Group B rolled past Group A, 5-2 lead by T.J. Syner’s two goals. Karl Stollery, Reid Edmonson, and Stanislav Galiev also tallied for the winners, while Andrew Cerniwchan and Luke Lockhart scored for the losers.

Below, I recap the game in photos.

Danick Paquette looks on early in the game.

Mattias Sjogren and Cody Eakin battle for a face-off.

Group B celebrates the opening goal.

Brandon Anderson makes a save.

Caleb Herbert gets clipped up high.

Reid Edmondson makes it 2-0, Group B.

Cameron Burt congratulates Anderson after the first period.

T.J. Syner nets his first goal of the game.

Garrett Mitchell gets one back for Group A.

Jacob Gervais-Chouinard robs Cherniwchan.

And Paquette runs Gervais-Chouinard. Yeah, saw that coming.A

Caleb Herbert tries the ol’ spin move, fails.

Dmitry Orlov lays out a massive hit-check.

Dean Evason doing some coaching.

Eakin watches the action.

Luke Lockhart makes cuts Group B’s lead to one.

Two for Synder.

Stan Galiev ices the victory with the empty netter.

*Wink*

Happy Russians.

Gervais-Chouinard and Steffen Soberg talk about goalie things.

P.A. guy extraordinaire Wes Johnson addresses the crowd.

Hi, George.

Anderson speaks to the media, I focus on a screen.

RMNB’s Igor Kleyner talks with Orlov.

Sjogren answers the media’s questions.

Paquette didn’t say any outrageous things in this presser. Too bad.

Dustin Stevenson and Aaron Schmit settle their differences with their fists. (Video via Suzanne K.)

On Saturday, during the third and final scrimmage of the Caps’ Development Camp, the prospects turned the physicality up notch in front of a capacity crowd at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. There were three fights, each of them featuring a different combatants.

In the first period, 2009 sixth-round draft pick Garrett Mitchell got in his third throw-down of the week, challenging Group B’s Mike Bovin after a rough run. The two traded a few punches before Mitchell lost his balance and were separated by officials.

In the second stanza, Dustin Stevenson — a 6’5” behemoth — got in his second fight of camp and did so with a bit of flair, bending over and chucking his helmet through his legs before engaging Aaron Schmit. Stevenson got the upper-hand of the altercation, despite absorbing several heavy shots from Schmit at center ice.

Finally, in the third, ‘Dirty’ Danick Paquette looked for blood after being hit in open ice by Karl Stollery (video can be seen at 8:17 here). The fight, however, was a hugfest as neither landed any good punches.

Below the jump, check out my photos from all the bouts.

First Period: Garrett Mitchell (White) vs. Mike Boivin (Red)

Garrett Mitchell goes after Mike Boivin after being knocked to the ice.

Second Period: Dustin Stevenson (White) vs. Aaron Schmit (Red)

Hike!

Third Period: Danick Paquette (White) vs. Karl Stollery (Red)

Paquette initiates the bout after taking a hit from Stollery.

Wey (white) chips the puck down the ice. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Wey waits his turn during drills. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

After being drafted in the fourth-round (115th overall) in 2009, Patrick Wey has been to the last three Development Camps hosted by the Capitals, holding his own every time. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native — more on that later — was a standout in American juniors with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL before making the jump to Boston College. The powerhouse Eagles, who have one the deepest defensive corps in NCAA hockey, won a national championship his freshman year. Unfortunately, Wey missed the 2010 Frozen Four after contracting mononucleosis.

This past year, the 20 year-old continued his progression, tallying his first — and so far only — collegiate goal against the University of New Hampshire on March 5. Wey was also was one of five Capitals prospects to participate in the World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York, capturing a Bronze medal with Team USA along with fellow BC d-man Brian Dumoulin. He is also a teammate of the Penguins’ 2009 second-round pick Philip Samuelsson, son of former Swedish NHL star Ulf Samuelsson and one of the last cuts from the 2011 US WJC team.

Much like us, Wey has a blog that primarily makes fun of the Russian Caps too.

From WashingtonCaps.com:

Paintball yesterday was fun. … I think a lot of the Russians and some of the other guys would just hide in the back, they didn’t want to get hit. Which I don’t blame them for, some people got absolutely lit up.

After Friday’s workout, I spoke with Wey about his experience this week, being a former Pens fan and more.

Chris Gordon: You’re obviously a veteran of the these camps, what have you taken out of this one so far?

Patrick Wey: Just that you have to keep working. Actually, they have all this stuff they’ve been testing us on, they give you a benchmark and it’s just important so keep running your own race and pushing yourself. The talent level that’s been here, it never gets any easier no matter how old you are or how many years you’ve been here. It’s just been a good camp.

CG: Do they give you specific things you need to improve on with the “benchmark?”

PW: Sure. They’ve have a meeting today which is really helpful, really nice motivator. Things in your game that you need to improve on, it’s good in that regard.

CG: You were part of Team USA at the World Junior Championships and won a Bronze Medal. What what that experience like?

PW: It helped. It was a really fast-paced tournament so it me helped get used to the speed at the higher levels of camps like this and it was good to be able come into an environment where a lot of guys don’t know each other and haven’t played together and try to form a team right, step into a new system, which I think is just a good experience to have. There’s plenty of times during people’s playing careers where you get put in a situation like that.

Wey watches Dmitry Kugryshev fall to the ice after he lays him out in open ice. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

CG: How about playing at Boston College? How has that helped you grow as a player?

PW: I’ve grown a lot. I think as person I’ve matured a lot in college and we’ve got really good coaches at BC: Greg Brown who works with the defense specially does a really good job. I think my strength has improved a lot, my skating, my decision making, everything.

CG: What are your plans? Do you hope to graduate?

PW: I’m just going to play it by ear, I’m not really sure. I’m definitely going to get my degree one way or another and hopefully go to graduate school. As for right now, I have no idea what the future has in store.

CG: You grew up in Pittsburgh. You must have been a Penguins fan growing up.

PW: Of course! Every kid cheers for their hometown team but obviously that’s going to have to change and it has changed!

CG: Have any of your friends back home given you any ribbing about that?

PW: I think everyone understands how it works. It’s funny, my family’s all from Baltimore and around here, around this area so they’re all Caps fans so it’s not a hard transition to make!

CG: Are there any current defenseman you try to model your game after?

PW: I got asked this question before and I gave a terrible answer. [laughs] I like Rob Scuderi a lot. I like the solid defensive guys that just kind of go about their business and keep it pretty low key and just get the job done.

Additional reporting by Fedor Fedin and Ian Oland.

Garrett Mitchell attempts to headbutt Scott Wietecha into submission. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

After losing the first scrimmage game, Group A turned the tables on Group B on Thursday to take the second match of Development Camp, 4-3, in the shootout.

Garrett Mitchell, David Citviarese and Danick Paquette tallied Group A’s goals in regulation, while Travis Boyd scored twice along with Reid Edmondson in Group B’s losing effort. Mitchell also added the only shootout goal.

Below, I recap the game in photos.

(All photos by Chris Gordon — Click to enlarge.)

Jacob Gervais-Chouinard warms-up before the game.

Head coach Bruce Boudreau talks to the referee.

Reid Edmondson opens the scoring.

Group A ties the game.

Adam Mitchell gets hit up high.

Andrew Cherniwchan loses his balance.

Garrett Mitchell and Scott Wietecha drop the gloves.

Group A takes a 2-1 lead.

Group A goes up by two.

Group B comes back to force a shootout.

Video of the entire shootout via YouTube user freakinandpeakin

Mattias Sjogren is stopped.

Garrett Mitchell nets the lone shootout goal.

Danick Paquette dishes out a hit along the boards.

After participating in workouts for first two days of the Capitals’ annual Development Camp, 19 of the organization’s prospects and 25 free agent invites took to the ice for the first intra-squad scrimmage of the summer on Wednesday.

Group B — wearing the red sweaters — controlled the play throughout the game at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, taking it by a score of 4-2. Caleb Herbert, Stanislav Galiev, Travis Boyd and Aaron Schmit scored for the winning team while Andrew Cherniwchan and Garrett Mitchell tallied in the losing effort.

“The thoughts were is they played hard,” Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau told reporters after the game. “I think there was a lot more physical contact than the last two development camps, at least early on for the first game. … They’ve gotten better every day, I expect them to be even better tomorrow and by Saturday I’ll be a pretty good game.”

Forward Cody Eakin, a third-round draft pick in 2009 and a veteran of three camps, attributed the style of play to the players desire to make an impression on Washington’s brass.

“They’re some big guys out here and everyone is fighting for a job, a second chance and a second look so it was pretty physical. Guys are stepping up and there wasn’t a lot of room out there.”

Below, I recap the game in photos.

(All photos by Chris Gordon — Click to enlarge)

Caleb Herbert opens the scoring

Andrew Cherniwchan ties the game from Group A

Free agent invitee Wade Epp goes down hard into the boards, leaves game with possible shoulder injury.

Taylor Stefishen gets hit hard by Dmitry Orlov, injuring his knee.

Group B celebrates Galiev’s goal

Mattias Sjogren throws his weight around.

Travis Boyd gets on the scoreboard.

Group A celebrates Garrett Mitchell’s goal.

Group B walks away victorious.

Video via YouTube user freakinandpeakin

In the third period of Wednesday’s Development Camp scrimmage, Capitals prospects Dustin Stevenson and Garrett Ross dropped the gloves. The fight, which lasted about 20 seconds, started after Aaron Schmit scored for Group B, giving them a 4-1 advantage. The 6′ 5″ Stevenson landed a majority of the punches, but Ross — a veteran of 24 OHL fights — landed the hardest punch, a sharp haymaker that elicited “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd.

Now I’m sure some of you are wondering why the heck two players “technically” on the same team would fight each other. And that my friends, is the beauty of hockey. All of the players in camp are competing for jobs and specific roles within the organization come September. Ross certainly gave Group A an emotional lift, dropping the gloves with a player five inches and 50 pounds bigger than him and hanging tough, though they ended up losing, 4-2.

Below the jump, Chris Gordon shares his photos of the bout.

Dima participates in a drill during the first day of Development Camp.

Photos by Chris Gordon

When Metallurg Novokuznetsk’s season ended in early February without a playoff berth, Dmitry Orlov had two options. He could finish the year in Russia again with Metallurg’s MHL affiliate, the Novokuznetsk Bears, or begin his professional career in North America. After dominating the KHL’s junior circuit and winning the Davydov trophy as the MHL Playoff MVP in 2009-10, Dima needed a new challenge. So he negotiated an agreement with his KHL club and flew over to America to sign a contract with the Washington Capitals.

On February 27th, Orlov impressed fans and media alike in his AHL debut against the Albany Devils. Not only did he register a point in his first game as a Hershey Bear, he inspired The Patriot-News’s Tim Leone to exclaim,”That’s the best first 20 minutes from a 19-year-old D I’ve ever seen in this league.” Orlov went on to score his first AHL goal — ten days later — on March 9th against the Worchester Sharks and finished the year with nine points in 19 games.

After taking a brief vacation in Turkey, the defensive prospect is back in America, and participating in his third Development Camp. So far, the reports are positive.

“He’s in a lot better shape and he’s lighter and in better condition than he was in the other camps,” Bruce Boudreau told reporters Monday. “I think he wants to make a real good impression. He was always going back to Russia, but now he knows he’s here. He wants to make the team.”

One problem remains, however. Orlov still has a limited grasp of English, which can make instruction difficult, at times, for the coaches. While in Hershey, Orlov lived with fellow Russian-born winger Dmitry Kugryshev, who offered help with translating. In Development Camp, Stanislav Galiev has filled a similar role.

“You know, the thing [we're looking for] is a better understanding of the game because of the language barrier,” Boudreau explained. “And to see if he understands [English] a little bit better than last year or the year before. If he understands it, we know he can play and he can shoot and he can stand up and hit. And he’s got great hockey sense. It’s just the communication part that I’m a little worried about sometimes.”

RMNB’s own Igor Kleyner caught up with Orlov after his first day of Development Camp to discuss his training regiment, thoughts on the AHL and what words in English he does understand. Below, we offer the translation of his conversation.

Igor Kleyner: You cut your summer vacation a bit short this year, didn’t you? Why?
Dmitry Orlov: I wanted to start training a bit earlier this time. I have been here since the 28th of June, training with the strength coach Mark Nemish. We have been getting ready for the [developmnent] camp, both skating and in the gym. Today was the first day, it was a bit easier… It is going to be a difficult season for me, I want to make the main team in Washington, that’s why I started so early, I hope it is going to help me.

Dmitry Orlov skates backwards during a drill on Day 1 of Caps Development camp.

IK: Coach Boudreau was talking to the press about you, and he pointed out that this time around your conditioning improved significantly.
DO: I agree, this year, after the season ended, within a week I started working out again. I always worked on my conditioning during the summer, but this year I changed a few things, and I feel better. In any case, I am 20-years old now, a bit older, so my physical conditioning should have improved.

IK: If it is not a secret, what were those changes in your conditioning program this summer?
DO: Well, I used to not skate during summer time, I tried to rest more, and did some swimming. This summer, I skated four times a week, so now it’s easier for me to return to the ice. I feel very good during practice, because I am in good physical condition.

IK: Lets go back to the last season for a second… the last time we talked to you was after your first game for Hershey. Having now played for a couple of months in North America, and even getting to try yourself in playoffs, how do you compare the game here with hockey in Russia, how different is it?
DO: Well, the KHL is definitely stronger than AHL, but the AHL is also quite a special league, a lot of guys are doing everything they possibly can to make it to the NHL, and work very hard in a gym, so they are very strong physically. There is a lot of physical play everywhere on the ice, in the corners, every meter of the ice surface is contested, so it is very hard… And in the playoffs it was particularly hard for me, you can say it was the first ever real playoff series for me. I realized that the regular season and the playoffs are two completely different games. In the playoffs, it’s all about the team. And there is even more physical play than during the regular season, and the defense is even more important. The whole game is built from defense. Very few risky plays where you can get caught out of position, everybody works very hard. It is a very interesting game. You have to work hard and give it all, but if you win – the emotions… you feel good.

Bruce Boudreau teaches; Group B listens.

IK: Everybody wants to know how well you understand the coach. Did you watch the Winter Classic last year?
DO: Yes, we were at WJC when it took place on January 1st, so we all watched it. It was very interesting.

IK: Did you get a chance to see the HBO documentary 24/7 Penguins/Capitals: The Road to the Winter Classic?
DO: Yes, I did see some of it, not everything, but it was interesting, too.

IK: So, as the fans found out from the show, the coach Boudreau really likes to use quite “colorful” language when explaining the task to his players – you know, the words that get replaced with bleeps during the daytime broadcast… How well do you think you can understand that kind of English?
DO: Just fine. Those are even easier to understand than regular words! [laughing]

IK: Last question. Your 20th birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks. What would be your birthday wish for yourself?
DO: Well, to stay healthy, avoid injuries, and to make the main team.

IK: Thank you very much, and good luck to you.
DO: Thanks.

Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

Never have Dmitry Kugryshev’s eyes been photographed like this! (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

On the second day of Caps Development Camp, Groups A and B held their separate on ice workouts ahead of the first real action of the summer, Wednesday’s scrimmage at 3 pm. The only other notable happening included new signee Joel Ward’s first in person press conference with local media. Yeah, it was that kind of day.

Below, I documented the day in photos so you can see what you might have missed!

(All photos by Chris Gordon — Click to enlarge)

Group B

Group A

Mattias Sjogren gets high-sticked, loses tooth, remains lovely and Swedish.

When asked for his thoughts on 23 year-old Swede Mattias Sjogren, Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau had little to provide Monday morning at Washington’s Development Camp.

But three hours later, and with Sjogren missing a tooth, the bench boss was impressed.

“A minute in, I’m going, ‘Are you kidding me?’” Boudreau said. “He went around the net and I think the goalie’s stick came up and knocked out a tooth and welcome to North America.”

Just a few minutes later, however, he was back on the ice, showing little ill effects.

“You know what, that’s the one thing I’ve found about the Swedish guys that we’ve had, from Nicky and Marcus, they’re really tough,” the coach continued. “Knocked out a tooth, loosened another one but he wanted to get back out there — full marks for that.”

Additional Photos