(Caps Outsider)
With the Capitals’ offseason underway, player signings and transactions will be something which many fans will be eyeing closely. The Caps will have time to reflect on a successful season albeit a missed opportunity, being eliminated in the first round of the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs by eventual Eastern Conference finalists the Carolina Hurricanes. Forward line depth is something which Washington has been aiming to strike a balance with and they have shuffled their third and fourth lines at various times throughout the season.
Having only played three games for the Capitals since signing with Washington in March last year, Minnesota native Shane Gersich has enjoyed a successful season in Hershey, tallying 24 points in 66 games throughout his first full pro season. His NHL debut came against the New York Rangers in late March 2018 and Gersich was privileged to be a part of the Stanley Cup winning roster last season.
At season’s end, Gersich was reassigned to Hershey but the quick paced forward has benefited greatly from his first season for a professional organisation. As a result, Gersich has just recently re-signed with the Capitals on a one year, two way contract with cap hit of $700,000.
Originally hailing from Chaska, Minnesota, 22-year old Gersich began his road to the big leagues in 2010, lacing up the skates for Holy Family Catholic High in Minnesota. In his early high school seasons, Gersich was a standout, putting up big points (including 62 points in 24 games) during 2012-13. With the goal of reaching professional level, 2012-13 saw Gersich join the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League and accepted into the US National Team Development Program.
Clearly, Gersich had done enough for the NHL to pay attention, being selected at #134th overall in the 5th round of the NHL Entry Level Draft. In 2014, Gersich recorded an impressive 50 points in 52 games with the Lancers, netting 27 goals. Gersich also got the chance to represent his country, taking the Gold Medal as part of the 2014 IIHF World U18 Championships.
He soon embarked on his collegiate career which would prove the stepping stone to the AHL and NHL. Gersich joined the Fighting Hawks of the University of North Dakota for the 2015-16 season and went on to play 3 seasons at collegiate level. In 2017, he was named to the NCHC Honourable Mention All Star Team.
Now with a handful of NHL games and a full season of AHL action under his belt, Gersich is aiming high and his re-signing with the Capitals is a good sign. “Obviously, I want to play in the NHL,” he told NBC Sports. “It’s been my goal my whole life, and that’s the reason I left North Dakota. I think I’m ready for it, but you’ve got to wait and see until the time comes.”
With cap space tight and young forwards and talented prospects on their doorstep, expect to see the name Shane Gersich being bounced around come Capitals training camp and roster selection time.
