Sizeable prospect for Caps

GRAND FORKS, N.D. — With preseason practice approaching late last summer, Joe Finley experienced pain in the back of his knee following a series of workouts.

But he didn’t become concerned until after he realized there was no structural damage.

“The scary part is that it was growing pains,” Finley said. “I had sprouted up half an inch.”

Already a menacing figure in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for the University of North Dakota, Finley — the Washington Capitals’ 2005 first-round draft choice — had grown to 6 feet, 7 inches.

“I hope I don’t grow any more,” he said. “I’m plenty tall.”

And getting plenty ready for the NHL.

As the Caps concentrate on the present and making the playoffs for the first time since 2003, management also has its attention on the future, and a key piece on the blue line figures to be Finley.

A 245-pound junior at North Dakota, the 20-year-old faces a decision following the season, which continues for the top-ranked Fighting Sioux (23-8-2 and unbeaten in their last 15 games) this weekend against St. Cloud State: Play a final year for North Dakota or sign with the Caps.

“We thought he needed to spend at least three years in college, and then it might be time to take him out,” Caps vice president/general manager George McPhee said. “It’s going to be time for him to play pro soon.”

Although it’s likely he will endure at least a year of seasoning in Hershey of the American Hockey League, Finley could follow the path of Caps defenseman Jeff Schultz (6-foot-6), who played only 44 minor league games before being called up.

Finley started his 2007-08 season by impressing players at the Capitals’ development camp in Arlington. Older players challenged him physically, and he passed the test. And he sought additional contact.

“Any confidence that came from that I knew I belonged,” Finley said. “It’s sometimes hard for guys in college hockey to know where you stand because you don’t get to play against major junior players. But it was fun.”

This year for North Dakota, Finley has added power play to his duties. After scoring 10 points in his first two seasons (84 games), he has four goals and nine assists this season in 33 matches. And his plus-24 rating leads the WCHA.

“As he matures and develops, we’re putting more and more things on his plate,” North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol said. “He’s playing both sides of our special teams plus key minutes five-on-five. It’s small steps, but what I really like is that his development has been steady. That’s a credit to him because he’s worked hard on his game.”

Finley’s ambition has taken him from Edina, Minn., to Sioux Falls, S.D., to Grand Forks, which is 150 miles south of Winnipeg and 310 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

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