Team: Barrie (OHL)
Size: 6-0 195 pounds
Age: 19 years old
Drafted: 2/96
One of the most talented scorers in the CHL, Bulis led the talented Barrie Colts in scoring last year, while displaing unusual for his age consistency, poise, hard work and leadership. He broke the 100-point plateau, scoring 42 goals and adding 61 assists. The Capitals would like to see Bulis become more aggressive, but it's not really his nature to be a hitter. He needs another half a season to a year of development on a lower level after which he should be capable of stepping into the Caps line-up.
Team: Portland (AHL)
Size: 6-0 185 pounds
Age: 20 years old
Drafted: 1/95
The younger version of Esa Tikkanen is a gutsy, feisty player that likes to initiate physical contact despite not having great size. The former first-rounder isn't a great scorer or skater, but he will be a very good third line grinder in the NHL for many years. The Washington Capitals are hoping the kid will one day score 15-20 goals in addition to playing great defense and providing the team with the feistiness that every team needs, but most teams lack. He will spend the next couple of seasons in Portland (AHL) and should be ready to join the Caps around the year 2000.
Team: Portland (AHL)
Size: 6-1 210 pounds
Age: 20 years old
Drafted: 1/95
Yet another first rounder, Church has an imposing frame that he uses very well. He's a banger who rarely hesitates to drop his gloves when asked to stand up for himself or his teammates. Brad had a tough rookie season in Portland last year, as he battled with injuries and wasted one scoring opportunity after another. But truth be told, the gritty forward did learn a lot about pro hockey which will benefit him down the road. Although he's never going to be a star in the National Hockey League, Church will be a sound role player for many years.
Team: Portland (AHL)
Size: 6-1 185 pounds
Age: 20 years old
At 6-foot-1 185 lbs, Hay may not be the biggest player in the rink, but he's often the best hitter on the ice. Since he was drafted, Dwayne has shown the ability to score goals, though not many of them are "goalscorer's" goals. Instead Hay usually scores "garbage" goals, but it doesn't really matter what turns the red light on. Hay, along with Brad Church, Miikka Elomo, Andrew Brunette and Chris Simon should give Washington a strong crop of big role players for many years.
Team: Portland (AHL)
Size: 6-0 190 pounds
Age: 22 years old
Boileau is a hard working player who does a little bit of everything, but doesn't do anything particularly well. His specialty is defensive awareness, but we doubt he will ever win the Selke award (an award given to the top 2-way forward in the NHL). Patrick performed in a few games for the Capitals last year, but only as a fill-in when injuries hit hard. He figures to continue playing in such situations for the next couple of years. The Washington Capitals are hoping that Boileau will some day become a third-line player, but that will take a lot of hard work on his part.
