A little housekeeping after rookie development camp ended early today following the week’s second scrimmage. The Capitals have announced they have renewed the affiliation agreement with the South Carolina Stingrays of the East Coast Hockey League. That’s the equivalent of a Double-A minor-league team in Major League Baseball – though it’s also the lowest rung in professional hockey.
“We are very pleased to extend our affiliation with South Carolina,” said Washington general manager George McPhee in a statement released by the team. “The Stingrays are a first-class organization who give our prospects a great place to develop as professionals.”
The Caps had six of their own prospects at South Carolina last season. The Stingrays, coached by Cail MacLean, went 37-29-3-3 last season and in 2009 won the Kelly Cup as ECHL champions. Michal Neuvirth made his pro debut at South Carolina during the 2008-09 season and was an ECHL All-Star. Other Caps players under contract who have seen time with the Stingrays include goalie Braden Holtby, himself an ECHL All-Star in 2009-10, defenseman Sean Collins, Patrick McNeill, Dustin Stevenson and forwards Dmitry Kugryshev
In other news, the Caps announced they have signed forward Jacob Micflikier to a one-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. The 27-year-old forward is another depth signing. He had 29 goals and 32 assists (61 points) in 78 games last season for AHL Charlotte. That is the Carolina Hurricanes’ top affiliate. The organization is familiar with him. Micflikier’s Checkers, after all, beat Hershey in the Calder Cup playoffs last season, though he managed just three assists in 14 playoff games. He is 5-foot-8, 180 pounds and seen time with AHL teams in Rochester, Albany and Springfield, too (193 career AHL games). Micflikier spent four years at the University of New Hampshire with 150 career points. He was named the team’s most valuable player in 2006 (16 goals 26 assists).
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