Dave deKastrozza a Titan from his youth hockey days, will be attending the Washington Capitals Training Camp, and recently signed a 2 way professional contract with the club and its AHL Hershey affiliate.Coach Haviland coached Dave from Pee Wees. At 6-3 200 pounds its easy to see why he is getting attention as he effortlessly glides around Howell Iceworld. In an article from Penn Live, it appears the Bears staff recognized this speed as well, "That’s what’s kind of stood out to us,” Bears head coach Mark French said. “He’s a big, rangy young player and his speed is under-estimated. I think his top-end speed catches defenders off guard, as well as a real long stick. He’s got a real good combination and a real good chance to be a real dynamic power forward.”
After playing for the Titans, David attended Culver Academy where he palyed 3 seasons for the Indiana prep, including his last year as captain and leading scorer. An opportunity to play D1 came from that experience and he found himself with the University of Maine. He made a minor impact at Maine until his senior year, where his hard work saw his strength increase and he was noticed. While undrafted, the Capitals organization offered him a spot with the SC Stingrays where he really made an impression. It was not long before Hershey and the AHL called.
"Dave has taken a long road, but it shows the hardest workers can develop into real professional talent", said Coach Haviland. "He had patience to wait, and continued to get better every season. Some guys might have committed D3 after a year or two at Culver, or stopped working hard when he got little playing time at Maine in his first few years. Dave kept at it, and his work ethic epitemizes what we want from Titan players."
He recorded his first AHL point Jan. 23 against Adirondack with an assist and his first AHL goal a week later against Binghamton.
“I think that [speed] is one of my assets,” de Kastrozza said. “I’m not going to be fancy. I don’t really have the best hands. But getting everything deep and really getting on the D and getting loose pucks is one of my strong suits.
“I’m not a real dangler or anything. My game is mostly just to chip it in and get the puck back.”
Good luck at camp Dave. We hope you are an impact player at Hershey and that the NHL Capitals are not far away.