Cristall returns to Kelowna Rockets

Sep 29, 2023 | 1:35 PM

The Kelowna Rockets are getting one of their top players back for the Western Hockey League season.

The Washington Capitals announced Friday that 18-year-old forward Andrew Cristall has been returned to the Rockets.

Cristall was a second round draft pick (40th overall) by the Capitals in the 2023 NHL Draft. The Burnaby B.C. native signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Caps in July.

“We haven’t had a player like this on our team since Leon Draisaitl was here in 2015,” Rockets president and general manager Bruce Hamilton said about Cristall’s skill.

“Andrew is a unique player in our league, simply because he’s an offensive player that every time he has the puck something is going to happen.”

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It’s expected that Cristall will be in the lineup Saturday when the Rockets host the WHL’s newest team, the Wenatchee Wild, at Prospera Place.

Tickets for that game, and all other Rockets games, are available at Select Your Tickets.

Cristall played in Washington’s preseason game on Thursday night, helping the Caps beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3. He logged 12:15 of ice time and picked up an assist on Rasmus Sandin’s goal.

Cristall was awarded the Rockets 2023 MVP award after posting a team-leading 95 points (39G, 56A) over 54 games, missing 14 games due to injury.

With Cristall back, all active players on the Rockets roster have returned from NHL camps.

by Corey Fischer

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