ST. PAUL, Minn. | This was a long-term NHL draft for the Capitals, as each of their four picks – none taken before the fourth round – is expected to need a few years’ worth of seasoning.
No player fits that description better than seventh-round pick Garrett Haar, a 5-foot-11 defenseman who spent last season with Fargo of the United States Hockey League.
It’s tough to forget the last two times the Caps took a puck-moving defenseman from the USHL – Patrick Wey in the fourth round in 2009 and most notably John Carlson in the first in 2008. Haar isn’t nearly as close to contributing at the pro level as Carlson, and according to Ryan S. Clark of the Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, he’s de-committing from Northeastern and will play another season with the Fargo Force.
“Our other defenseman, Garrett Haar, is a California boy who played in the USHL this year – good skater, works hard, good compete level,” Caps director of amateur scouting Ross Mahoney said.
The 207th overall selection Saturday had seven goals, 16 assists and 51 penalty minutes in 51 USHL games last season.
