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Photo: Source Du Hockey
The Washington Capitals selected Left Wing Eriks Mateiko with the 90th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft Saturday afternoon at The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. Earlier in the third round, they had selected Ilya Protas with pick #75 after trading up and swapping draft picks with the New Jersey Devils to do so. He is 6’5″ and weighs 216 lbs.
Mateiko, 18, spent the 2023-24 season with the St. John Sea Dogs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) where he scored 23 goals and recorded 23 assists in 49 games.
“Overall, it’s just an amazing feeling for me. Especially going to Washington—it’s my dad’s favorite team.”
Eriks Mateiko meets with the media following his third round selection during the #NHLDraft#CapsDraft | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/aZbPjWg3A7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 29, 2024
Mateiko has the tools to become a power forward. He drives straight ahead, running through defenders into scoring areas. Given his 6-foot-5 frame, he takes a lot of space in front of the net. He uses his reach to place the puck between the stick and skates of opponents. He dangles through and centers passes to teammates.
OTHER TAKES
Possessing an enormous frame with a nice shot, Eriks Mateiko has caught the attention of many scouts. An injury replacement for the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Top Prospects game in January, he made the most of his opportunity, showing off a great power game with lots of physicality. He uses his frame well, and at nearly 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, it’s not hard to see why many teams are interested in him in this upcoming draft.
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
RANKINGS
Ranked #93 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #94 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #82 by THN/KENNEDY
Ranked #59 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #74 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #110 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #75 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #33 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #102 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #67 by SPORTSNET/BUKALA
Ranked #133 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
By Diane Doyle
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