Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall becomes first WHLer to record 400 points in 21st Century

Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall became the first Western Hockey League (WHL) player to record 400 points in the 21st Century over the weekend.

Cristall notched five points in a 9-2 victory for the Spokane Chiefs. This season, he has racked up 44 goals and 77 assists for 121 points and leads the WHL in points as he enjoys an 11-point cushion on Medicine Hat Tigers forward Gavin McKenna.

The Capitals originally selected Cristall No. 40 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. “I just love playing hockey,” Cristall said at the 2023 NHL Draft combine, weeks before the Capitals took him in the second round.

Throughout his career, the Burnaby, British Columbia native has racked up 153 goals and 248 assists for 401 points in 242 games with Spokane and the Kelowna Rockets. Cristall has managed four-point performances on 14 separate occasions, including a career-best seven-point night.

Cristall’s 401 points put him well ahead of players who played in the WHL during the 21st century, others include Jordan Weal who notched 135 goals and 250 assists for 385 points with the Regina Pats. Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt has racked up 113 goals and 246 assists for 359 points with the Prince George Cougars.

The 19-year-old was heavily coveted come the WHL trade deadline and was traded from Kelowna to Spokane in a blockbuster deal that saw Hayden Paupanekis, two first-round picks, a second-round pick, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick acquired by the Rockets.

Spokane possesses a record of 42-18-1-1 and sits second in the U.S. Division. Cristall will look to help the Chiefs on a long playoff run while building upon his already impressive playoff totals.