Rookie Ethen Frank with Beautiful Assist in 1st NHL Game

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Beats Arber Xhekaj down the ice to negate a Caps' icing, slips the puck around Xhekaj behind the net, then puts a lovely backhand pass right on Eller's stick for the goal. Funniest thing about the replay is Eller looking skyward after apparently icing the puck, and eventually scoring on Frank's hustle play.

Okay, nice assist. Big deal. Not main board worthy. Whatever.

Not whatever. The guy turns 27 next month and is finally playing in his first NHL game. Played his minor hockey near Omaha, and in the NCAA for Western Michigan, so surely hasn't been in the spotlight. He's won the last two Calder Cups with the Hershey Bears, and has led the team in goal scoring both seasons. On a 2-year contract with the Caps, which will be one-way next season.

I love underdog stories like this.

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[Jacob]

Also probably one of the fastest skaters in pro hockey.

 

[PlushMinus]

Yeah he is really fast. Nice to see him get a chance - hopefully he plays again tonight against the Preds.

 

[Doothpick]

Also probably one of the fastest skaters in pro hockey.

Sure seems like it.

 

[viceroy]

Beats Arber Xhekaj down the ice to negate a Caps' icing...

Give Xhekaj a break, against pretty much any other NHL'er that's icing. That kid just happens to be literally the fastest skater in either the AHL or NHL.

 

[BallardEra]

Also scored tonight.