Goalie Braden Holtby is trying to make a name for himself at Caps development
camp. Photo used under a Creative Commons license with dan4th.

This week, the Capitals are hosting their annual development camp for top prospects in the system. One of these is goalie Braden Holtby, whose resume has filled out significantly since we last chatted with him during training camp in 2009. Holtby started the season in net for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays and finished with a Calder Cup in Hershey. He also got five call-ups to the Capitals last year, though he didn’t get any time on the ice. DCist caught up with Holtby this week to see what he’s learned from last year.

Who He Looks Up to In the Caps’ Locker Room

“One guy I probably look up to mostly when I come up here is Brooks Laich,” Holtby said. “I’m sure that doesn’t come as a big surprise to many people, but he’s kind of a natural leader and a guy that you’re going to go to for any questions or concerns that you have. But it’s not only him — I haven’t really ran into anyone that hasn’t been helpful when I’ve got called up, or during camp. It’s a great group of guys.”

Holtby’s also looking forward to keeping in touch with Hershey teammates Karl Alzner and John Carlson, who he thinks will probably make the Caps’ roster this year.

Who’s Hot on Defense

Right now, it seems the Caps are pinning their defensive hopes on players already inside the organization and farm systems. Who better to ask about defensive performances at camp this week than the promising goalie, who’ll probably have these guys in front of him at some point? Holtby said he likes what he’s seeing from Dustin Stevenson, a 6’5″ defenseman, Joe Finley, a 6’8″ defenseman, Dmitri Orlov, who has played in the KHL, and Brett Flemming. (Flemming and Carlson also got mentions when Holtby answered this same question during training camp last year — Carlson isn’t at camp this week).

“There’s a lot of good defensemen at this camp,” Holtby concluded diplomatically.