Per Mike Vogel, the Caps have signed defenseman Connor Carrick to a three-year entry-level contract. Carrick, who was drafted in the fifth round in 2012, has been a training camp standout and is the youngest player still at camp (beating Tom Wilson by two weeks).
As we noted in our look at the organization’s top 25 under 25:
“[Carrick had] a solid year as a two-way blueliner in his first season in Plymouth and a strong WJC camp. Yep, it’s time to start paying attention to (and maybe even get excited for) a kid George McPhee compares to Brian Rafalski. Yes, please.”
From the team:
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Connor Carrick to a three-year, entry-level contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Carrick, 19, recorded 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) in 68 games for the Plymouth Whalers (OHL) last season. The Orland Park, Illinois, native led Whalers defensemen in goals and penalty minutes (79) in 2012-13 and ranked second among defensemen in assists and points. Carrick skated in 15 playoff games for Plymouth last season, ranking first among Whalers skaters in assists (16) and third in points (18) during the postseason.
The 5’10″, 197-pound defenseman collected 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists) in 57 games with the United States National Under-18 Development team in 2012. Carrick helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2012 U-18 World Junior Championships, recording two goals and two assists in six tournament games.
Carrick was drafted by Washington in the fifth round (137th overall) in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.