The Washington Capitals finalized their Opening Night roster before practice on Tuesday morning. Two players, Jakub Vrana and Dylan McIlrath, who no one could have called guarantees to still be with the team at the end of Training Camp, joined the group on the ice at Capital One Arena.
Head coach Spencer Carbery has spoken positively about both players throughout camp but officially honored them in front of their teammates on Tuesday. Washington posted a mic’d-up video of new forward Taylor Raddysh at the skate, which captured Carbery’s full speech to his team.
This sport is the ultimate team sport, in my opinion. It’s all about the team first. It’s all about everything as a group, everybody pulling the rope.
But, I also think it’s pretty f***ing cool to celebrate individuals inside of a great team sport, so take a moment to recognize someone earns an NHL contract, Jakub Vrana.
[STICK TAPS]Awesome, and also a guy that has grinded his entire f***ing career and earned everything that he’s gotten. This is the first time in eight years he’s on an Opening Night roster, Dylan McIlrath.
[MORE STICK TAPS]
Both players were playfully prodded by their teammates to give their own speech. Vrana seemed to bashfully decline, while McIlrath, captain of the Hershey Bears for the past two seasons, obliged.
“Thanks, boys,” McIlrath said. “It’s been a hell of a journey to get here, and this is the place I want to be. I love you, boys.”
Vrana inked a one-year deal with the Capitals shortly before practice began after originally rejoining Washington for their camp on a professional tryout agreement. The Czech winger, drafted by the Capitals with the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, is back with Washington for the first time since the 2020-21 NHL season.
McIlrath, a 14-year veteran, made the Capitals to start a season for the first time since he joined the organization ahead of the 2021-22 campaign and for the first time overall in the NHL since 2017. The former 10th overall pick by the New York Rangers beat out Ethan Bear to secure one of the two reserve defensemen spots on the roster.
After his second rousing speech of the year following his one to begin camp, Carbery gave the Capitals the day off on Wednesday. However, they will be back on the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex for practice on Thursday and Friday. Puck drop against the Devils is slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday.
