Andrew Cristall

November 2024 – Cristall is currently leading the Rockets in scoring, in just seven games, with 20 points in seven games. He is the top player on Kelowna and should be invited to Team Canada for the World Junior Championship. Hopefully Canada smartens up and already has Cristall penned in to the roster. Pat Quinn

October 2024 – Despite being one of the stand out players for Washington in exhibition play, and training camp, the Capitals sent Cristall back to Kelowna to vie for the WHL top scorer. Unfortunately, he could not be sent to the AHL or overseas as he really has no need to be in the WHL any longer. Pat Quinn

September 2024 – With all of the additions the Capitals have made, along with brining in Jakub Vrana on a PTO, the numbers game may keep Cristall out of the line up. Pat Quinn

June 2024 – Finishing the season with 111 points in 62 games, Cristall was a stand out in the regular season. Considering his regular season, the 15 points in 11 games seems somewhat underwhelming as the Rockets were eventually eliminated. A full off season of training may give Cristall a shot at the Capitals’ roster, especially if they go in the rebuild direction. Pat Quinn

February 2024 – Cristall is again lighting up the WHL. He is currently sitting fifth in scoring with 77 points in 42 games and is one of the most dangerous offensive talents in the CHL today. He will be aiming for the title of top scorer in the WHL by the time the season is complete. There is not a lot to add with Cristall with his offensive game, he thinks it very well, is one of the best passers in the CHL, and can hold on to the puck for that additional split second that offensive stars hold. He appears to be set on one of those high-upside players that takes longer to get to the NHL as coaches will want him to be much better in his own end, and win board battles easily. Pat Quinn

December 2023 – Cristall was bizarrely not invited to Team Canada’s 2024 World Junior Championship roster. A very odd decision considering how high his skill ceiling is. Pat Quinn

October 2023 – Cristall was loaned to the WHL after staying in training camp slightly longer than many expected. In his first WHL game he recorded one goal and two assists, and was named the first star of the game. Cristall has a pretty great chance to lead the entire WHL in scoring this season. In his one preseason game Cristall recorded one assist in 12:15 of ice time against Detroit. Pat Quinn

June 2023 – A steal of a selection in round two, Cristall was selected 40th overall by the Capitals. Pat Quinn

April 2023 – Cristall embodies pure, distilled skill. Elite hands complement his high-end vision quite well, making him very noticeable when he gets the puck in the offensive zone. His weight shifts are calculated and perfectly timed, allowing him to send opponents the wrong way almost every time. His ability to delay or accelerate the release of his pass to hit his target is uncanny, and frequent pre-touch scans widen his field of vision and allow for a larger array of accessible plays.  Add on top of that a deceptively hard and accurate release, and Cristall is among the best prospects in this draft when it comes to raw puck skills, which explains the fact that he is second only to Connor Bedard for points per game among draft eligibles from the WHL.

On the flip side, there are some setbacks to his game. His skating is only average at the moment due to less-than-ideal mechanics and little leg strength to compensate. This leads him to lag behind on back-checks and quick rushes. He also doesn’t offer much physically and only shows flashes of defensive capabilities. However, if his skating is rectified, the idea of his skillset and intelligence being combined with NHL-caliber speed and agility is terrifying. Cristall has a shot at being a top-five scorer out of this draft class if he is developed properly. He’s a project, but one who could pay off greatly for the right team. Hadi Kalakeche

September 2022 – Aside from Connor Bedard, no 2023 draft-eligible CHL player put up more points than Cristall. He registered 28 goals and 41 assists in 61 games during the WHL regular season and added another goal and five assists in five games at the recent Hlinka Gretzky Cup to help guide Canada to a gold medal finish.

When assessing Cristall’s offensive profile, there aren’t many boxes the 5-9 winger doesn’t check. His offensive skill set is highlighted through extremely efficient distribution skills and a willingness to shoot in a purposeful manner. Cristall is also a fluid and effortless skater with above-average speed that allows him to effectively transition the puck and distribute it to his teammates. He frequently displays good zone-to-zone awareness by supporting the play and his teammates through timely positioning and strong play recognition. Cristall’s high-level hockey IQ is most notably on display when observing his willingness to make the right play when facing pressure. As a result, the puck does not die on his stick often due to his willingness to make simple and effective plays rather than trying to be a one-man show. While not possessing a high-end rocket of a shot, Cristall does display a timely and willing shooting mentality that could lead him to be a 20+ goal scorer annually if and when he reaches professional hockey. Despite his smaller stature, he frequently displays good competitiveness along the half wall and slot when loose pucks are up for grabs. It is very unlikely that he will ever develop into a player with even average levels of physicality, but Cristall’s high-end hockey IQ in all three zones leaves him with legitimate above-average defensive upside when projecting his game at the next level. It is not uncommon for creative players such as Cristall to have a period of adjustment when ascending the pro-levels of hockey where time and space become limited due to the higher level of competition. While he will have to continue refining his decision-making process as he progresses toward the pro game, Cristall’s willingness to make safe and simple plays when facing pressure will likely help that transitional period. Chris Horvat