The Washington Capitals have signed one of their 2016 draft picks, albeit four seasons after his pro career began. Defenseman Chase Priskie is heading to the nation’s capital on a one-year, two-way contract worth $775K in the NHL and $350K in the minors, the Capitals announced today.
Washington selected Priskie, 27, with the 177th overall pick in 2016. After playing four seasons at Quinnipiac University, though, he didn’t sign with the team in the summer of 2019, and his exclusive draft rights lapsed. He instead landed a two-year entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, and he’s since spent time in the Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Anaheim Ducks organizations.
Last season, he split his time between the San Diego Gulls and Rochester Americans in the AHL thanks to a midseason trade of his NHL contract, tallying 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points in 58 games. 13 of those points came in just 16 games with the Gulls after the Ducks acquired him from Buffalo in exchange for defenseman Austin Strand on March 3. Standing at 6 feet and weighing 185 pounds, Priskie achieved AHL career-highs in goals and games played during the 2022-23 season.
During his collegiate tenure with Quinnipiac, he accumulated 116 points and 154 games and served as team captain for his last two seasons. He was recognized as a Hobey Baker Award finalist and was named to the ECAC First All-Star Team in 2018-19.
His only NHL experience came in a brief four-game stint with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22, although he was held off the scoresheet.
After the Caps acquired Joel Edmundson from Montreal, their defensive depth chart got a little deeper. With roster spots (and ice time) needed for younger players like Martin Fehervary, Rasmus Sandin, and Alexander Alexeyev, there’s little hope for Priskie to see much of any NHL ice this year. He will, however, join a formidable right-side defense in AHL Hershey that includes minor-league mainstay Dylan McIlrath and 2021 second-round pick Vincent Iorio, both of whom played large roles in helping Hershey capture this year’s Calder Cup.