Capitals Sign Forward Jakub Vrana to Three-year Contract
CAPITALS SIGN JAKUB VRANA
Washington Capitals Media Release
ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Jakub Vrana to a three-year, entry-level contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Vrana, 18, was drafted by Washington in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft. The Prague, Czech Republic, native spent the 2013-14 season with Linkoping of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and split the season between the senior team and junior team. Vrana registered three points (two goals, one assists) and two penalty minutes in 24 games with the senior team and collected 25 points (14 goals, 11 assists) and 26 penalty minutes in 24 games with Linkoping’s junior club. Vrana was ranked fourth overall among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
Vrana has represented the Czech Republic at the World Junior Championship twice (2013, 2014) and at the Under-18 World Championships three times (2012, 2013, 2014). He led the Czech Republic in scoring at the 2012 and 2014 Under-18 World Championships and ranked first in goals (8) and third in points (10) among all skaters at 2014 tournament, including the overtime winner in the quarterfinal as the Czech Republic captured a silver medal. At the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial, Vrana earned four points (three goals, one assist), including a goal and an assist in the bronze-medal game to lead the Czech Republic to victory. It was the country’s first top-three finish at the tournament, which they co-host, since 2005.
Vrana will be loaned to Linkoping (SHL) for the 2014-15 season.
