Photo credit: OHL

After netting a hat trick against the London Knights in game 2 of the OHL Western Conference Finals, Tom Wilson has continued to bolster his status as an elite playoff performer.

Wilson, whose tremendous play in last year’s postseason secured him a spot in the draft’s first round, scored three more goals in the next two games. Both times Wilson’s goals helped to build Plymouth’s comeback efforts, but the Knights took the lead back and won. In both games, the final score was 6-4 London.

Wilson’s consecutive goals begin at 1:00 mark. Carrick’s tremendous backhand cross-ice assist is at 1:45.

In game 3, Wilson’s goals helped the Whalers to pull off a miraculous come back. The Whalers started third period down 3-0 (two of the Knights goals by potential first-rounder Bo Horvat). Wilson scored two consecutive goals in less than four minutes, allowing his team to get back in the game. Five minutes later, a big goal by Ducks’ prospect Rickard Rakell tied the game. Fast-forward one minute and Mitchell Heard gave the Whalers the lead off of amazing cross-ice feed by Carrick.

Then the Whalers’ emotion started working against them. Connor Carrick picked up a minor for cross-checking, and London’s Max Domi tied the game on the ensuing powerplay. 50 seconds later, Seth Griffith gave the Knights the lead. A frustrated Heard shoved one of the Knights in the back of the head, picking up a major for check to the head, burying his team’s hopes of tying the game. Wilson and Vince Trocheck later picked up misconducts for “Persisting” – trying to start a fight despite the linesmen keep the players apart. The Knights kept their cool and coasted to victory as Domi scored an empty-netter.

Wilson’s assist is at the beginning of the video. His goal – a deflection off Carrick’s shot – is at the 1:40 mark. Two more of Carrick’s assists are at 0:35 (notice Wilson screening the goalie) and 1:25 marks.

In game 4, the Whalers started off well, twice getting the lead in the first period and outshooting the opposition. The Knights managed to tie the game going into intermission and then took a two-goal lead by the halfway point. Late in the period, the Whalers tied the game (Wilson provided the equalizer), but the Knights scored early in the third.

Tom Wilson, who missed three games with a reported concussion, has 16 points in 11 games, placing him 7th in playoff points per game and tenth overall in points.

Game 5 may end the Whalers’ season. It will be played in London  at 7PM EST. The OHL has streaming available to watch.

Photo credit: Plymouth Whalers

Washington Capitals first-round pick Tom Wilson put up another impressive playoff performance. In game two against regular-season champions the London Knights, Wilson scored three goals and added an assist (unofficially as of right now) as his team won 4-3 in double overtime.

Potential 2013 first-rounder Bo Horvat opened the scoring after winning a puck battle in the corner, giving the Knights a 1-0 lead that they preserved until the end of the first period. Wilson tied the game in the second, holding his stick behind his back to score a wild deflection goal.

Crazy.

The Knights took the lead back thanks to a powerplay snipe by Chris Tierney. Wilson went into beast mode after that, getting more physical as the game wore on. In the second period, he laid this big hit on Horvat.

In the third period, Wilson tied the game, scoring a powerplay goal off a rebound.

Three minutes later, 2013 first-round prospect Max Domi’s powerplay goal put the Knights back on top, but they couldn’t protect that lead. With 44 seconds to go, Wilson again tied the game, goal assisted by another Caps prospect, Connor Carrick.

Early in OT, the Knights had a sizable advantage. The Whalers improved as the first overtime period wore on, getting a few chances late. Whalers goalie Alex Nedeljkovic was tremendous (61 saves in the game). More of the same continued in the second OT. The Whalers killed off four penalties in OT before getting their first man advantage. They took full advantage of it. Gianluca Curcuruto’s shot was stopped, but Wilson stole the rebound again, feeding it to a wide-open Rickard Rakell, who didn’t miss the open net.

The series is now tied at one with the Whalers getting home-ice advantage. Game 3 will be played in Plymouth on Tuesday.

Tom Wilson knocks down Chris Bigras. (Photo credit: Plymouth Whalers)

Washington Capitals first round pick Tom Wilson recently missed three games with what OHL announcers described as a “minor ailment.” Wilson returned Friday night and had a huge impact in Game Five of the Plymouth Whalers’ playoff series against the Owen Sound Attack. In a 5-0 win that gave Wilson’s Whalers a 3-2 series lead, the Ten Train scored a power play goal and picked up six minutes of penalties — two coincidental roughing minors with Gemel Smith and Kurtis Gabriel and an unsportsmanlike conduct minor.

Wilson’s goal is at 1:00 mark. (Video credit: Plymouth Whalers)

Wilson’s tally was second of the game for the Whalers. Wilson redirected a slap pass by another Caps prospect, defenseman Connor Carrick. The Whalers also got two goals each from Senators draft pick Stefan Noesen and Avalanche prospect Mitchell Heard.

In regards to the injury Wilson suffered, Dobber Prospects writer Brendan Ross reported that Tom was recovering from a concussion he suffered in Game One of the series.

Word around the league (unofficially) is that Plymouth Whalers Tom Wilson missed Game 2 with a concussion. #OHLPlayoffs #Caps

— Brendan Ross (@RossyYoungblood) April 9, 2013

After his goal Friday, Wilson has nine points (three goals, six assists), which puts him in a tie for 19th place in OHL playoffs scoring. He’s done that despite playing three less games than his competitors. Carrick, who has 11 points in nine games, leads OHL defensemen in playoff points.

Whalers will face the Attack in Game 6 at 4PM on Sunday.

Connor Carrick on draft day. (Photo credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Washington Capitals 2012 fifth round draft pick Connor Carrick played in his first OHL regular season game for the Plymouth Whalers Friday after his controversial decision to decommit from the University of Michigan.

The hockey gods must have thought that Carrick made the right decision however, because the talented defenseman scored a goal in Plymouth’s 6-5 overtime loss to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Carrick’s teammate, Caps’ 2012 first-round draft pick Tom Wilson, also tallied an assist.

Carrick’s goal is at 2:20. Wilson’s assist is at 3:27

On Carrick’s goal, the 18-year-old defenseman sneaks waaaaaaay down from his point position to the slot. After he takes a beautiful cross-ice pass from talented 2013 draft-eligible prospect Ryan Hartman, Carrick flips the puck past the surprised goalie. At the time, the goal allowed the Whalers to complete a furious comeback from a 3-0 deficit to tie the game.

On Wilson’s assist (#10 in the video), the six-foot four-inch behemoth clears out room in front of the net for Stefan Noesen to score.

Despite the Caps prospects timely contributions that night, the Greyhounds scored on the first shot of overtime, as Brandon Alderson avoided a hip check and perfectly placed a puck past Whalers’ goaltender Matt Mahalak.

Saturday night, the Whalers lost their home opener 3-2 against the Belleville Bulls. Their next game will come next Saturday against Sudbury.

Photo credit: @RickyRakell93

Way back in June, after George McPhee took Tom Wilson 16th overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Wilson revealed to the media that he was a big fan of Alex Ovechkin as a kid. “I had his jersey growing up,” the Toronto native said. “It’s gonna be really cool to meet him [in training camp].”

Unfortunately, since the NHL and NHLPA are being a bunch of [redacted] [redacteds], the two will not meet this year. Wilson was re-assigned to his junior team last week and Ovechkin’s currently looking for work in Russia.

But that’s okay. Like I said a few days ago, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. So on Monday, during a Plymouth Whalers day off, Wilson got the team together for what we here at RMNB call the pageview extravaganza — a game of shirtless soccer — one of Ovechkin’s signature workouts. Wilson (bottom left, shirtless) and Capitals fifth round draft pick Connor Carrick both played and fun was had by all.

And we thought we’d have nothing to post during the lockout.

Filip Forsberg is back in North America. (Photo credit: Pavel Paprskar)

While the Capitals are still a month away from training camp (please, no lockout), up to six of their prospects may participate in under-20 tournaments that will be held this week, including 2012 first round draft picks Filip Forsberg and Tom Wilson.

The first tournament, which is being held in Lake Placid, New York, hosts hopefuls from the United States, Sweden, and Finland for an eight-day camp to prepare for the 2013 World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia.

While Team USA’s official roster for the Lake Placid tournament has not yet been announced, four Caps prospects are currently attending the Evaluation Camp — defensemen Garrett Haar and Connor Carrick, and forwards Thomas Di Pauli and Travis Boyd.

In two intersquad games at the camp, Travis Boyd scored a goal and Connor Carrick has recorded an assist. Garrett Haar and Thomas Di Pauli didn’t have any points.

The USA Blue team (featuring Haar, Di Pauli and Carrick) also played in a scrimmage against Finland on Monday. Their team won 5-4, but neither of them was able to put points on the board. Meanwhile the USA White team (with Travis Boyd) played against Sweden and lost 1-5. Boyd didn’t contrubute to the scoresheet.

Here’s the rest of the schedule for a Team USA that will be united after Monday’s games.

August 8th, USA vs. Finland 4:00 PM
August 9th, USA vs. Sweden 4:00 PM
August 11th USA vs. Finland 1:00 PM

While Team USA still figures out its roster, Filip Forsberg was officially named to the Swedish team. Christian Djoos, another Swedish Caps prospect drafted this year, unfortunately had to be left at home after he was diagnosed with a concussion.

Forsberg had a goal and an assist in each of the two exhibition games against Czech Republic before crossing the ocean, and Djoos had a goal and an assist in the first of the two games. In a contest against USA White, Forsberg was unable to keep his scoring streak alive.

Schedule for Team Sweden

August 7th, Finland vs. Sweden 4:00 PM
August 9th, USA vs. Sweden 4:00 PM
August 10th, Finland vs. Sweden 4:00 PM

The best part? Thanks to USA hockey, you can follow all of the live action from Lake Placid this week online.

The other tournament taking place this week is the Canada-Russia challenge, which is celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1972 USSR-Canada Superseries. The top junior players from Canada and Russia will compete in a four-game series — two games will be payed in Yaroslavl, Russia and two games will be played in Halifax, Nova Scotia — beginning on Thursday at 11am EST.

Tom Wilson, who the Capitals selected 16th overall, was named to Canada’s Roster. Surprisingly, the Capitals will have no prospects playing on the Russian team.

Russia-Canada games schedule

August 9th, 11:00 AM – Yaroslavl, Russia
August 10th, 10:00 AM – Yaroslavl, Russia
August 13th, 7:00 PM – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 14th, 7:00 PM – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

For those of you who have TSN, you can watch the tournament on TV or also follow along on TSN’s live blog.

Forsberg speaks to the media after the scrimmage. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

The Caps prospects and invitees to Development Camp played their fourth scrimmage today, but once again some of the most interesting moves were made off the ice. First-round draft pick Filip Forsberg signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Capitals today, and goalie coach Dave Prior expressed disappointment in prospect Steffen Soberg‘s 2011-12 season.

Despite the fact Forsberg has one more year on his contract with Leksand of the Swedish Allsvenskan League, he stressed that he wanted to commit to the team. “It was a dream come true,” he told CSN’s Chuck Gormley. “I got a good first feeling from the Capitals and I thought it was a good decision to get it done right away.”

Team White won the scrimmage 4-1, with White’s goals scored by David Civitarese, Connor Carrick, Barry Almeida, and Chandler Stephenson on a penalty shot. Team Red’s lone goal was scored by T.J. Syner.

Below the jump, check out Chris Gordon’s photos from the day.

Photos

Russian goalie Sergei Kostenko walks out of the locker before the scrimmage.

Goalie prospect Brandon Anderson.

Bears coach Mark French behind the bench.

Adam McKenzie of the Air Force Academy.

Tom Wilson (red) fights for the puck.

Wilson waits for a faceoff.

Wilson battles for the puck.

Filip Forsberg congratulates his teammates on a goal.

Adam Oates walks to the locker room.

Wilson makes his way down the hall.

Connor Carrick celebrates a goal.

Wilson jaws with the other team.

Stan Galiev (red) knocks over the net.

Wilson has a laugh.

Max Iafrate congratulates Kostenko on the victory.

Garrett Haar laughs after the win.

As does Galiev.

Forsberg signs an autograph for a young fan.

Scouting director Ross Mahoney talks to reporters.

2012 first-round pick Tom Wilson absorbs a big hit. (Photo credit: Chris Gordon)

Day two of Caps Development Camp took place today, with timed tests for the prospects in the morning and a scrimmage in the afternoon, but it was what was said off the ice that was most interesting. Olaf Kolzig talked about a possible lockout, Stan Galiev talked about gaining nearly twenty pounds, and Max Iafrate brought us the distressing news that his father now listens to rap music.

Connor Carrick had the quote of camp however, explaining what Adam Oates’ first day as coach was like. “He’s nervous, we’re nervous, everybody’s nervous so nobody’s nervous.” Somebody put that to music, we’ve got a new hit for Carly Rae Jepsen.

In regards to the scrimmage, Team Red avenged Team White after their 3-1 loss yesterday, and won today, 2-1. Australian Nathan Walker scored the white team’s lone goal, while the red team’s two tallies were scored by Aaron Gens and David Vallorani.

RMNB’s Chris Gordon was there to capture all the action. Check out his photos below the jump.

Photos of Day Two’s Scrimmage

Tom Wilson disses out a hit.

Stan Galiev waits for a faceoff.

New top pick Filip Forsberg battles for the puck.

Forsberg goes for a ride.

Bears coach Mark French delivers some instruction.

Wilson with the puck.

Larry Courville, the head coach of new the Caps’s new ECHL affiliate, the Reading Royals.

Goalie prospect Steffen Soberg.

Garrett Haar speaks to the media.

Forsberg watches from the bench.

2012 draft pick Chandler Stephenson (white) fights for the puck.

Wilson carries the puck out of the defensive zone.

And plays some defense.

Caps GM George McPhee watches the action.

Wilson leaves the locker room.

Oates barking some orders.

Galiev watches the action from the bench.

Wilson has a laugh on the bench.

Thomas Di Pauli waits for a faceoff.

Chandler Stephenson looks on.

Olie Kolzig talks after the sessions.

Caps draft pick Thomas DiPauli.(Photo credit: Dave Sanford)

After trading their second round pick and Cody Eakin to the Dallas Stars in exchange for center Mike Riberio, Washington did not move any of their other ten picks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. In the first round, they acquired talented winger Filip Forsberg and rough-and-tumble power forward Tom Wilson; through the next six rounds, they would go on to acquire four US players, a Canadian player, a Swedish player, and a Russian.

Notably, the Caps selected three players from the U.S. developmental team, and one player recently of the U.S. developmental team. “I asked [the scouts] ‘What are we doing here?” said McPhee about this trend. “Are we drafting the whole team?’”

“We made a lot of picks today,” McPhee said of the second day overall. “I don’t know those kids very well. [...] It’s nice to sort of restock this year, and we’ll see how they are in a couple of years.”

Chandler Stephenson, 3rd Round, 77th Overall

With the 77th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Chandler Stephenson of the Regina Pats. Stephenson is a center/left wing and is known as a creative, skilled forward. In two years with Regina, Stephenson has scored 29 goals and notched 61 points, including a 22-goal performance this year. Stephenson’s stat line is very similar to Cody Eakin’s in his two years in the WHL before the draft, however Stephenson has more than 10 pounds of weight over Eakin already. He is 5’10 and 192 lbs.

Thomas DiPauli, 4th Round, 100th Overall

With the 100th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected center Thomas DiPauli of the US developmental program. In three years with US developmental program, DiPauli has scored 21 goals and had 62 points. He is 5’11 and 188 lbs. “Best moment of my life,” DiPauli said of the draft. “Dream come true. It was incredible.”

Austin Wuthrich, 4th Round, 107th Overall

With the 107th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Austin Wuthrich. Wuthrich is a right wing formerly of the US developmental program, now playing college hockey for Notre Dame. In 36 games with Notre Dame, Wuthrich scored 7 goals and had a total of 17 points. He is 6’1 and 190 lbs.

Connor Carrick, 5th Round, 137th Overall

With the 137th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Connor Carrick of the U.S. developmental program. Carrick is a defenseman who is known for his skating and work ethic. In two years with U.S. developmental program, Carrick scored 8 goals and had 18 points. He is 5’11 and weighs 185 lbs. “Yeah, it’s got to make going to camp and things like that easier, to see familiar faces and such,” Carrick said of having his teammates drafted alongside him. “As far as the future, I hope we can all make the team, that would be great.”

Riley Barber, 6th Round, 167th Overall

Photo credit: Dubuque Fighting Saints’ flickr

With the 167th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Riley Barber of the U.S. developmental program. Barber is a right wing and projects to be a skill player with good size. In two years in the USHL, Barber scored 34 goals and notched 63 points. He is 6’0 and 194 lbs. You can follow Barber on twitter at @rileybarber94.

Christian Djoos, 7th Round, 195th Overall

With the 195th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Christian Djoos of the Swedish under-18 league. Djoos is a defenseman who projects to be a defensively responsible player with some offensive punch. In three years in Swedish junior leagues, Djoos has scored 23 goals and had 99 points overall. He is 5’11 and weighs 158 lbs.

Jaynen Rissling, 7th Round, 197th Overall

Photo credit: Brendan Miller

With the 197th selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Jaynen Rissling of the Calgary Hitmen. Rissling had 10 goals, 52 points, and 238 PIM with the Hitmen. His uncle, Gary Rissling, played for the Capitals from 1978-81, before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rissling is 6’4 and 223 lbs.

Sergei Kostenko, 7th Round, 195th Overall

The Capitals picked their only Russian and their only goaltender of the draft with their last pick of the day, selecting Sergei Kostenko at 203rd overall. Kostenko is a goaltender playing for Kuznetskie Medvedi in the Russian junior league, and was the third-string goalie for the World Juniors tournament this year. He is also apparently friends with Dmitry Orlov.