Mahoney said he was impressed with how Cristall took the news, and how any residual anger he might have has been used to torment the opposition in the WHL.
Cristall has 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 14 games, including five points (one goal, four assists) in Kelowna’s 8-3 win against Vancouver on Friday. That was his fifth game with at least four points, and at least one point in 13. He’s fourth in the WHL in points despite playing 7-10 games fewer than anyone ahead of him in the scoring race.
“It’s obviously a good start, pucks have been finding the net,” Cristall said. “Obviously I’m playing with some good linemates and we’ve been connecting. So it’s been a lot of fun. Good to keep going.”
Among the pucks finding their way into the net was a short-handed goal against Saskatoon on Nov. 8. Cristall is playing more on the penalty kill this season, which the Capitals are excited about as it shows how Cristall is adding elements to his game.
“He’s killing penalties … he’s getting lots of opportunity there, and lots of ice time and some really good coaching with Kris [Mallette, Kelowna coach],” Mahoney said.
Cristall, a second-round pick (No. 40) in the 2023 NHL Draft, also is feeling physically stronger. Since being measured at 5-foot-9, 175 pounds at the 2023 NHL Scouting Combine, he’s grown to 5-10, 185. Cristall said the extra strength has helped him win battles along the boards and given him an extra step in races for loose pucks.
“I think I had a really good summer putting on weight and gaining muscle and strength,” he said. “The Capitals’ strength guys have been great with me as well, just kind of telling me what I need to do, things to help, how to get more explosive, how to eat right. Everything combined has just kind of helped me out, made me have a really good summer. I definitely feel stronger for sure than the past couple years.
“It feels good to get the weight up and feel a lot stronger.”
Feeling stronger and more experienced after a strong NHL training camp, Cristal hasn’t lost any self-confidence and can envision himself in Washington’s locker room next season.
And while the Capitals will remain patient with their top prospects, no one will close the door on what Cristall is capable of.
“He’s smaller and I think he needed to get stronger, like a lot of younger guys do,” Mahoney said. “And then with that strength, your skating gets a little bit quicker. So I think he really worked hard on that, and you can really see the difference. We saw it at development camp, and then we saw it in training camp, and we’re seeing it this year.
“He’s got the hockey sense, he’s got the great hands, he’s exceptional on the power play. He’s killing penalties. Got some short-handed goals. Just continue to work on himself physically and get himself ready for the future.”
