The temperature outside touched the low 90s, but inside MedStar Capitals Iceplex, it still felt like hockey season. There is no sign of Alex Ovechkin or Braden Holtby during the Washington Capitals’ development camp — it’s the time of year where Shane Gersich is one of the most veteran players on the ice.
Gersich is participating in his sixth development camp with the Capitals. This week — Tuesday through Saturday — Gersich is balancing being a leader for the new kids in town and continuing to improve his own game.
For others, like 2019 first-round pick Connor McMichael and 2018 first-rounder Alexander Alexeyev, the development camp in Arlington is about getting some in-person attention from NHL coaches.