NHL DRAFT: Capitals add Hughes in fifth round
Courtesy photo Bear Hughes
From news services
Spokane Chiefs forward Bear Hughes was selected by the Washington Capitals in the fifth round
— 148th overall — of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on Wednesday.
“I just feel so grateful right now and very excited,” Hughes said. “The Capitals are a great team and from what I hear are a very exceptional organization. I’m excited to get started.”
Hughes, who grew up in Post Falls, had a rookie campaign to remember. He scored 16 goals and added 31 assists for 47 points in 61 games, finishing the season ranked seventh among all WHL rookies in points, ninth in goals, tied for fourth in assists and 5th in shots on goal.
His most noteworthy stretch was the month of November, when he piled up 12 points (5G-7A) and a plus-12 rating in 12 games to earn recognition from the league as the WHL Rookie of the Month. From Oct. 19 to Dec. 14, Hughes scored nine goals and 15 assists for 22 points including a season-best 6-game point streak from Oct. 19 to Nov. 3 and a career-best three-point night (3A) on Dec. 14 at Seattle.
The 6-foot-1 forward recorded points in six of seven games in late January and early February (2G-7A) as the Chiefs began to roll toward their stellar late-season finish. Hughes finished the season with 12 multi-point efforts.
“Bear has taken great strides in his development over the last couple years and has shown lots of upside,” said Chiefs’ general manager Scott Carter.
Unrated by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service headed into the season, the 6-foot-1 two-way forward jumped onto scouts’ radar, entering the draft ranked 150th among North American skaters.
Hughes was originally put on Spokane’s radar by former Chief and current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson, who noticed him at Frontier Ice Arena in Post Falls during offseason skates. Prior to being listed, Hughes played primarily house league hockey in the Spokane area.
Finley selected in second round by Tampa Bay: Spokane forward Jack Finley was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round — 57th overall.
“It was an awesome experience to be a home with my family (for the draft),” said Finley. “Being a second round pick is an honor. It has been a long wait and to be with a team like Tampa Bay, it is all worth it.”
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what number I get picked, I understand the hard work I have to put in now to make the roster.”
A tall, imposing forward standing at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Finley had the attention of scouts after breaking out with 57 points (19G-38A) in 61 games during the 2019-20 season, centering a line with WHL Player of the Year Adam Beckman. NHL Central Scouting had him ranked at 38th among North American skaters headed into the draft.
“We’re thrilled to see Jack be selected by Tampa Bay,” said Chiefs’ general manager Scott Carter. “They have drafted an outstanding young man.
“This is a well-deserved milestone in his career and reflects the work he has put into his development here in Spokane.”
A Kelowna, British Columbia native, Finley posted 14 multi-point games, including four with 3+ and a career-best four points (1G-3A) in a dramatic 7-6 overtime win at Portland in early February. He finished the shortened season with points in 12 of the team’s 17 games (9G-12A).