It didn’t take long for Capitals rookie forward Mattias Sjogren to earn his first “Welcome to North America” moment. Taking part in the organization’s rookie development camp this week at Kettler Iceplex, Sjogren took a stick to the mouth and lost a tooth Monday.
Not a big deal. He’s a hockey player, after all. But it wasn’t exactly the start Sjogren was looking for. During a scrimmage Wednesday afternoon, however, the 23-year-old showed why he might be the most NHL ready of the young players who will fight for one of the final roster spots in training camp.
Faceoffs are always an issue for European players. Sjogren and fellow top prospect Cody Eakin squared off seven times in the circle Wednesday, and the Swede held his own.
“I thought Mattias looked pretty strong in the corners, on the pucks,” Caps coach Bruce Boudreau said. “But again it’s the first day — July 13 — so I don’t think guys were going to make or break the team today.”
