Andrew Cristall signs entry-level contract with Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Andrew Cristall to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 18-year-old winger was selected 40th overall by the Capitals, the second selection after USNTDP forward Ryan Leonard. Cristall’s deal will be for $810,000 at the NHL level and $82,500 in the AHL, although he isn’t eligible for the AHL right now and is expected to return to Kelowna.

Cristall is the fifth prospect from the 2023 NHL Draft to sign an entry-level contract and the second player from the second round to sign a deal after Kalan Lind (46th overall) signed his ELC with Nashville earlier today.

Cristall is coming off of a wild season with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, scoring 39 goals and 95 points in his second full season with the club. He also had six points in seven games with Canada at the April IIHF U-18 World Hockey Championship and won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last spring.

The Vancouver, British Columbia native was among the most skilled players in the 2023 draft. His skating is a big concern, and he’s only 5-foot-8. Cristall grew up with top 2023 pick Connor Bedard, with the pair still playing roller hockey together throughout the off-season alongside Columbus’ Kent Johnson.

Cristall could challenge for a spot on Canada’s world junior roster in a few months’ time. While undersized players typically don’t get a ton of opportunities at that level, few can make the moves that Cristall can.