Monthly Report For Capitals Prospects In The CHL — December, 2024: A Trade, World Junior Heroes And Snubs and Plenty Of Scoring

Monthly Report For Capitals Prospects In The CHL — December, 2024: A Trade, World Junior Heroes And Snubs and Plenty Of Scoring

by

Photo: Windsor Spitfires

The Canadian junior hockey leagues (CHL) continued play in December. Here is the monthly summary of how the Capitals’ prospects playing in the CHL fared for the month.

The Capitals currently have six prospects playing in CHL: the Western Hockey League (WHL), the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJML). The prospects in those leagues are defenseman Cam Allen, left-wing Andrew Cristall, left-wing Eriks Mateiko, right-wing Terik Parascak, right-wing Ilya Protas, and center Patrick Thomas. The one Capitals prospect playing in the USHL in the United States, Miroslav Satan, will also be included in this summary.

CAM ALLEN (D) – 19 – DRAFTED 2023 (Fifth Round, #136 Overall)
Teams: Guelph Storm/London Knights – League: Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

Photo: Jim Van Horne / 980 CFPL

For Allen, December started with him being considered for the Canadian World Juniors team but ultimately cut. Then, there was a trade from Guelph Storm, a last-place team, to the London Knights, a first-place team.

On December 2, it was announced that Allen was one of 16 OHL players who were selected for Canada’s National Junior Selection camp which would take place from December 10-13.

On December 4, in a 7-4 loss to the Brampton Steelheads, Allen scored Guelph’s second goal at 5:59 during the third period.

Unfortunately, Allen did not get selected for Team Canada. He returned to Guelph and had a secondary assist in a 4-3 shootout win against the Kingston Frontenacs on December 14. It would be his last appearance with the Storm.

On December 17, the Guelph Storm traded Allen to the London Knights for a defenseman and multiple draft picks. Allen went from last to first place within the Midwest Division of the Western Conference.

The trade seemed to agree with Allen. On December 18, Allen contributed a goal and two assists in a 6-1 win against the Erie Otters. His first assist came on a goal scored at 18:30 of the first period, putting the team ahead 2-0.

Allen then scored a goal at 0:16 of the second period, putting the Knights ahead 3-1.

He assisted on the team’s last goal, which came at 8:11 of the third period. His efforts earned him the First Star of the Game.

On December 20 in a 6-1 win over the Sarnia Sting, Allen assisted on the team’s first goal that occurred at 3:32 during the first period.

He also assisted on the team’s fourth goal which occurred at 1:33 in the second period.

In a 4-1 win over the Flint Firebirds on December 29, Allen earned an assist on the Knights’ first goal which came at 4:16 during the second period .

The Knights closed the calendar year by beating the Sarnia Sting 9-3 on December 31. Allen scored the team’s fifth goal at 9:46 during the second period which proved to be an insurance goal.

Allen played in eight games in December, four for his old team, the Guelph Storm, and four for the London Knights. He scored two goals, one for Guelph and one for London. He recorded seven assists, two assists with the Guelph Storm and five for the London Knights. Thus, he recorded ten points for the month.

His final totals for the Guelph Storm before being traded were 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points overall. He made 91 shots on goal and served 23 minutes worth of penalties. For the Knights, he scored one goal and recorded five assists.

His season totals through December 31, were 28 games played, nine goals, and 23 assists. He has made 102 shots on goal and has 27 penalty minutes. He is 0 in Plus/Minus.

Team Canada had chosen him for the World Juniors Selection camp but ultimately cut him

ANDREW CRISTALL (LW) – 19 – DRAFTED 2023 (Second Round, 40th Overall)
Team: Kelowna Rockets – League: Western Hockey League (WHL)

Photo: Kelowna Rockets/Steve Dunsmoor

For Cristall, December started with him receiving the CHL Player of the Month award for November, getting invited to Team Canada’s selection camp but ultimately getting cut, and scoring goals before Kelowna’s Christmas break.

On December 2, it was announced that Cristall was invited to Team Canada’s National Junior Team selection camp that would take place from December 10-13.

Cristall scored two goals in a 4-2 win against the Victoria Royals on December 7. His first goal came short-handed at 10:24. He added an empty net goal at 19:07 during the third period.

The next day, December 8, was another win over the Victoria Royals, this time winning 4-1. Cristall scored two goals and was selected as the First Star of the Game.

Cristall’s first goal came at 8:52 in the third period and happened so quickly on a wicked backhand that the officials needed time to review it before calling it a good goal.

He scored his second goal at 9:56 of the third period on the power play, beating the goaltender with pinpoint accuracy to the far side of the net.

Unfortunately, Cristall was cut from the World Junior Canadian team. His interview before getting cut can be found below.

On December 14, Cristall had a secondary assist on Kelowna’s only goal in a 9-1 loss to Wenatchee Wild. The goal came at 1:01 during the third period. As it was the Teddy Bear toss game for Kelowna, the fans then threw the bears onto the ice in response.

Cristall scored two goals on December 17 during a 5-3 loss to Prince George Cougars. He opened the scoring when he corralled a point shot and deposited the puck over the Cougars’ defender toward the net at 13:10 during the first period, putting the team up 1-0.

Cristall scored his second of the evening at 5:00 of the second period when he beat the Cougars’ defenseman wide down the left side and finished the play with a slick wraparound, beating the opposing goaltender and giving the Rockets a 2-1 lead. The goal would give Cristall 334 career points in a Rockets uniform, surpassing John Varga for second all-time in Rockets history.

He assisted on the team’s third goal at 18:48 during the second period, which tied the score at 3-3. Unfortunately, the Cougars had two unanswered goals to win 5-3. Despite the loss, Cristall was still selected as the First Star of the Game.

In December, Cristall played in 8 games, scoring 6 goals and recording 4 assists. He had three multi-goal games in the month and just two games with no goals or assists.

Cristall played 26 games for the season through December 31, scoring 24 goals and recording 33 assists for 57 points. He is also +23. Cristall leads Kelowna in goals, assists, and points with 47. He is second in the WHL in points to Gavin McKenna and eighth in assists. He ranks fifth in goals.

The Rockets’ record at the end of December was 13-17-2-1 in 33 games and they are ninth place out of 11 teams in the Eastern Conference.

ERIKS MATEIKO (LW) – 19 – DRAFTED 2024 (Third Round, 90th Overall)
Team: St John Sea Dogs – League: QMJHL

Photo: The Hockey News

Mateiko played in no games for the St. John Sea Dogs in December 2024. He spent the first half of December recovering from his injury, which he received in late November. After that, he joined Team Latvia at the World Junior Championships. For the season, Mateiko played in 23 games, scored 14 goals, and recorded 5 assists for 19 points overall. He leads his team in goals and is second in assists.

In games through December 31, the Sea Dogs played 34 games with a record of 16-18-0-0.

World Junior Performance

However, Mateiko was a hero for Team Latvia as they advanced to the Quarterfinals of the World Junior Championships. He was selected as one of the alternate captains.

Mateiko was instrumental for Latvia in their 3-2 shootout victory against Canada on December 27. He scored the game-tying goal at 13:18 during the third period, tying the score at 1-1. Both teams went on to score before overtime. Mateiko ultimately scored a goal during the eighth round of the shootout to give Team Latvia the win. This was the first time that Latvia had ever defeated Canada.

He continued his heroics for Team Latvia in their 4-3 overtime victory against Germany on December 30. With Latvia down 2-0, Mateiko scored at 9:12 during the second period to break the shutout bid. Latvia eventually tied the game at 2-2.

Both teams scored late goals, forcing overtime. Mateiko won the game for Latvia at 3:23 in overtime, with the final score of 4-3 in favor of Latvia. Through their overtime wins, Latvia advanced to the WJC Quarterfinals. (They ultimately lost in the Quarterfinals but Mateiko scored two goals.)

TERIK PARASCAK (LW) – 18 – DRAFTED 2024 (First Round, 17th Overall)
Team: Prince George Cougars – League: Western Hockey League (WHL)

Photo: Prince George Cougars

Parascak was more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer in December, with his assists topping his goals.

On December 6, Parascak scored a goal and recorded two assists as Prince George beat the Regina Pats 4-2. He assisted on a first-period goal at 3:37, passing the puck to Riley Heidt at right wing and below the right circle who then shot and scored. This gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

Parascak scored on the power play at 19:22 of the second period. He cashed in from a great pass at the left post, giving the Cougars a 3-1 lead.  He added an assist on an empty-net goal near the end of the game.

In a 4-3 shootout win against the Tri City Americans on December 11, Parascak scored a goal at 12:32 of the first period after getting a juicy rebound to put the team up 1-0. Parascak also recorded an assist at 9:33 during the third period for the Cougars’ second goal.

On December 14, in a 3-1 win against the Spokane Chiefs, Parascak assisted on the Cougars’ first goal at 8:38 during the first period.

In a 5-3 win against the Kelowna Rockets on December 17, Parascak had both a goal and an assist. He had the primary assist on the team’s third goal at 10:35 during the second period on a power play. It put the Cougars up 3-2 at that time.

He added an empty net goal at 19:12 during the third period which iced the game for the Cougars. This goal capped off the celebration of his 100th career game.

Parascak closed the month on December 31 by contributing an assist on the team’s fourth goal in a 6-4 victory over the Seattle Thunderbirds at 17:49 during the first period. He also scored an empty net goal at 19:33.

Parascak played in nine games during December, scoring four goals and recording 7 assists for 11 points. He had three pointless games for the month and our multi-point games.

His totals for the season are 17 goals, 29 assists, and 46 points overall. He is +8. He ranks first for the Cougars in assists and overall points and is tied for second for goals scored.

At the end of December, the Cougars had compiled a record of 21-9-3-2 in 35 games and ranked second in the Western Conference of the Western Hockey League.

ILYA PROTAS (LW) – 18 – DRAFTED 2024 (Third Round, 90th Overall)
Team: Windsor Spitfires – League: Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

Photo: Windsor Spitfires

Protas was more of a playmaker than a scorer during December and had several two-assist games but scored goals, too.

On December 7, during a 3-2 shootout loss to Kitchener Rangers, Protas scored a goal at 18:42 during the first period thanks to a great solo effort as he tucked the puck in the five hold for a highlight reel goal.

Protas had two goals and two assists during a 7-4 win against the Saginaw Spirits on December 8. His first goal was at 13:39 during the second period on a power play.

He scored his second goal on the power-play at 19:44 in the second period which held up as the game-winner.

He assisted on a shorthanded goal at 12:47 during the third period and added an assist on an empty net goal near the end of the game.

On December 12, during a 5-1 win against the Erie Otters, Protas had two assists.  He assisted on a goal at 10:13 during the third period which put the Spitfires ahead 2-1 and held up as the game-winner.

During a 4-1 win against the Guelph Storm on December 19, their last day before breaking for Christmas, Protas had the primary assist on the Spitfires’ second goal at 5:39 during the second period which ended up being the game-winner.

On December 28 during a 4-0 win against Sault St. Marie Greyhounds, Protas assisted on the Spitfires’ first two goals and was selected the first star of the game. The next day, the Spitfires beat Sault St. Marie again, this time by a 10-6 score. In this game, Protas had one goal and two assists and was selected as the Second Star of the Game. He scored his goal, the team’s seventh goal, at 6:45 during the third period. That goal proved to be the game-winner.

Protas had another good game to close out the month when the Spitfires beat the Flint Firebirds 6-4 on December 31 as he scored one goal and recorded two assists.

Protas scored at 4:11 during the first period, putting the Spitfires up 2-0. He also recorded two assists and was selected as the Second Star of the Game.

For December, Protas played in nine games, scoring 5 goals and recording 12 assists for 17 points total. He had only one game, December 14, with neither a goal nor an assist. He had one two-goal game and five two-assist games. For much of December, Protas was lined up as the first-line center but sometimes lined up at his natural position of right-wing and, on one occasion, was listed as second-line center.

In team statistics, Protas ranks second in goals with 21, second in assists with 35, and second in points with 53, ranking only behind Liam Greentree in all three departments. He is tied for seventh place in the Ontario Hockey League in goals, tied for seventh place in assists, and ranks sixth for total points.

The Spitfires ended December in first place in the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League, with a record of 26-7-2-1.

PATRICK THOMAS (C) – 20 – DRAFTED 2023 (Fourth Round, #104 Overall)

Team: Brantford Bulldogs    League: Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

Photo: Brantford Bulldogs

Thomas has generally been more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer throughout his junior hockey career. However, he was very productive on the goal-scoring front in December and scored game-winning goals in overtime twice during the month.

Thomas recorded two assists during a 6-3 loss against the Kitchener Rangers on December 3 and assisted on the team’s last goal on December 8, during a 4-3 loss to Niagara,

On December 11, Thomas scored two goals and recorded one assist during a 6-5 win in overtime over the Brampton Steelheads. His assist was on the team’s third goal which came at 4:36 during the second period. He scored his first goal of the game at 6:54 during the third period just five seconds after the Bulldogs were on the power play. He collected a puck that was deflected from a point shot and scored the team’s fourth goal which tied the game at 4-4.

His second goal of the game was the game-winning goal which came at 4:39 during overtime. Thomas shot the goal with his backhand for the overtime game-winner. His performance earned him the first star of the game.

Thomas was an overtime hero again on December 13, during a 2-1 overtime win against the Barrie Colts. He also assisted on a goal scored at 14:23 during the second period. That goal put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0.

He scored his game-winning goal at 0:20 in the Overtime period.

On December 15, he contributed two assists during a 10-1 win against the Kingston Frontenacs. His first assist was on the team’s first goal which came at 6:33 during the first period while his second assist was on the team’s fourth goal at 13:33 during the second period.

On December 18, Thomas scored two goals and recorded one assist in a 7-4 win over the Brampton Steelheads. He scored his first goal at 13:08 during the first period which tied the score at 1-1.

He scored his second goal during the second period, decreasing the Bulldogs’ deficit to 3-2.

He assisted on a power play goal at 18:03 during the third period, increasing Brantford’s lead to 6-4. Thomas’ efforts resulted in his selection as the Second Star of the Game.

On December 28 during an 8-2 win against the Owen Sound Attack, Thomas scored his team’s second goal at 19:28 during the first period on a power play. This goal increased the team’s lead to 2-0. Brantford won this game despite only dressing 15 skaters instead of the customary 18.

Thomas scored a goal at 8:27 during the first period during a 5-4 loss to the Erie Otters on December 31.

Thomas played in 10 games in December, scoring 7 goals and recording 9 assists for 14 points overall. In those 10 games, he had only one game where he had neither a goal nor an assist. His totals for the season through the end of December are 15 goals and 35 assists for 50 points overall. He had three games in December that were three-point games, both with two goals and one assist. He ranks second on the Bulldogs for goals, first in assists, and second in overall points. He ranks third in the OHL for assists.

Through December, Brantford had an 18-14-3-0 record and is in third place out of five teams in the East Division of the Eastern Conference.

MIROSLAV SATAN (C) – 18 – DRAFTED 2024 (Sixth Round, 212th Overall)
Team: Sioux Falls Stampede   League: United States Hockey League (USHL)

Satan played in two games in December, with no goals or assists. He has played 19 games this season, scoring two goals and recording 1 assist. He has had 21 shots on goal for the season and 3 shots on goal during December.  He has typically been the center on the fourth line.

After the first weekend in December, he joined Slovakia’s team in the World Junior Championships. He played in three games in the preliminary rounds but left the game where Slovakia played Czechia due to injury and has not played since then. A Czech forward had rammed Satan into the end glass and forced him out of the game. He had no goals nor assists for Slovakia and had four shots on goal. Slovakia was eliminated during the Quarterfinals.

[A full summary of the Capitals’ prospects at the IIHF 2025 World Junior Championships will be coming post-tournament.]

By Diane Doyle

Leave a Comment