Alexeyev and Barteaux selected by Capitals and Stars in NHL Draft
Red Deer Rebels defenceman Alexander Alexeyev was selected 31st overall in the NHL Draft by the reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Friday night.
The St. Petersburg, Russia native had seven goals and 30 assists in 45 games with the WHL’s Rebels last season.
Alexeyev missed about three weeks midway through the season as he flew home to tend to his ailing mother. She later passed away. Following his selection, the 1999-born Alexeyev told Tara Slone of Rogers Sportsnet, “I think she would be so happy to see me in this jersey. I hope she’s sitting up there right now.”
In his first season with Red Deer, Alexeyev had four goals and 17 assists in 41 games. That season ended in surgery for the Russian. He was injured once again shortly after returning from Russia this season, but was still projected by several analysts to go in either the first or second round of the draft.