The Russian wing (6-foot-1, 185 pounds) entered the season projected to be a top-five pick in the draft. But the 18-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in February and missed the rest of the season with Omsk Krylia in Russia's second division.
"The season went very well for me until I got sick," he said through a translator. "I was expected to go early until I got sick. But really happy with where I was selected. ... Never really thought I'd be drafted by the Washington Capitals."
Miroshnichenko started with nine points (four goals, five assists) as Russia's captain to help it win the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, a top under-18 international tournament in August, and had 16 points (10 goals, six assists) in 31 games with Omsk Krylia before he got sick.
Miroshnichenko was cleared to resume hockey training in April and said he's been on the ice about 10 times. His plan is to be in the lineup for Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League when next season begins.
"I feel healthy, but there's still obviously ... you look at my body of work on the ice and off the ice, there's still a lot that you have to do to get to the level I was at," he said.
Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney said Miroshnichenko was rated higher than No. 20 on their list. He said Washington's medical staff examined Miroshnichenko's health records, and Mahoney felt good about where Miroshnichenko was after meeting with him in Germany during the 2022 IIHF Under-18 World Championship in April.
"I think it's just a matter of continuing to get healthy," Mahoney said. "He's already put a lot of weight back on. Met him at the Under-18 tournament in Germany, he was there as part of his treatment, and to see him then and to see him now, there's a real big difference. I can already tell he's starting to put his weight back on and he's back in training. We'll be patient with him."
When healthy, Miroshnichenko provides what the Capitals felt they needed: a high-end scorer on the wing.
"This young man can put the puck in the net," Mahoney said. "Not just at his age group, but he will do it in the NHL.
"He can really shoot the puck, he's got a high hockey IQ, and he's competitive. He's a competitive player who wants to win. He's not afraid to take the puck into the tough areas to score goals, finishes checks. He plays with some passion."
Miroshnichenko said he plans on staying in the United States and attending Capitals development camp, which is scheduled for July 11-16, and then he'll return to Russia to get ready for next season.
"Just a tremendous feeling, a great organization," Miroshnichenko said. "So many great players, great Russian players, that play for the organization, so to join them is a great honor."
Among the Capitals' top players from Russia are forward Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, defenseman Dmitry Orlov and goalie Ilya Samsonov.
"Just very happy to have the opportunity to play with such stars," he said.
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