Tuesday afternoon, the Washington Capitals signed two more college free agents, Kris Bindulis and Hampus Gustafsson.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman first reported that Bindulis, a 21-year-old defenseman from Lake Superior State University, was rumored to sign with the Capitals. The six-foot-three-inch and 180-pound Latvian is a raw prospect, but has a lot of talent. Bindulis received a three-year entry-level contract.
Meanwhile Gustafsson registered 26 points in 36 games with Merrimack College (NCAA) this season and led the team in goals (15), ranked second in points, and fourth in assists (11). The six-foot-four-inch, 205-pound forward is a nominee for the 2017 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given annually to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player. Gustafsson received a two-year entry-level contract from GM Brian MacLellan.
Both players will report to the Hershey Bears on a tryout agreement.
These signings come five days after the team inked the University of Alaska-Anchorage’s Mason Mitchell to a two-year entry-level contract
The Washington Capitals have signed Kris Bindulis to a three-year, entry-level contract and forward Hampus Gustafsson to a two-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2017-18 season, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Both Bindulis and Gustafsson will report to Hershey on a tryout agreement for the remainder of the 2016-17 season.
Bindulis, 21, recorded 12 points (1g, 11a) in 28 games with Lake Superior State University this season. The 6’3”, 180-pound defenseman ranked third among Lake Superior State defensemen in points and assists and recorded two points (1g, 1a) in his NCAA debut on Oct. 14 against Michigan State. Prior to his freshman year at Lake Superior State, Bindulis registered 46 points (10g, 36a) in 57 games with the Aston Rebels (NAHL) and served as the team’s home captain during the 2015-16 season.
Gustafsson, 23, registered 26 points (15g, 11a) in 36 games with Merrimack College (NCAA) this season and led the team in goals, ranked second in points and fourth in assists. In addition, Gustafsson registered a career high in goals and tied his career high in points (2015-16: 26). The Ljungby, Sweden, native is a nominee for the 2017 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given annually to the top NCAA men’s ice hockey player, and served as an alternate captain for Merrimack during the last two seasons (2015-17). Gustafsson posted an eight-game point streak this season (10/15-11/5: 6g, 2a) and recorded five points (3g, 2a) on Feb. 10 in Merrimack’s 6-3 victory at Boston College. The 6’4”, 205-pound forward played four seasons at Merrimack College (2013-17), registering 87 points (38g, 49a) in 146 career games.
Congrats to Hampus Gustafsson on signing with Washington! Senior year paid off! The Capitals get a well rounded, 200 foot, 6-4 player!
— Mark Dennehy (@MarkD4224) March 7, 2017
Headline photo: @Capitals
