Washington
Capitals Make Five Selections at the 2025 NHL Draft | Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals made five selections during the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. On Friday, the Capitals selected left wing Lynden Lakovic with the 27th overall pick. During the second day of the draft on Saturday, Washington selected forwards Milton Gastrin (37th overall), Maxim Schafer (96th overall), Jackson Crowder (155th overall) and defenseman Aron Dahlqvist (180th overall).
Lakovic, 18, was ranked second among North American left wings and 14th among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The 6’4”, 200-pound forward spent the 2024-25 season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and established single-season career highs in goals (27), assists (31), points (58) and power-play goals (7) despite appearing in just 47 regular-season games. Lakovic led Moose Jaw in goals, points and shots on goal (183) and ranked second on the team in assists. Lakovic’s 1.23 point-per-game rate led the Warriors and was the fifth highest among draft eligible WHL players. The Kelowna, British Columbia native registered a career-long 13-game point streak (10g-9a–19p) from Nov. 8 – Dec. 27, which marked the 11th-longest point streak by a WHL skater in 2024-25. On Feb. 14, Lakovic was named Moose Jaw’s captain. In addition, Lakovic represented the Canadian Hockey League at the inaugural CHL-USA Prospects Challenge, where he registered two points (1g, 1a) in two games.
During the 2023-24 season, Lakovic registered 39 points (18g, 21a) in 68 regular-season games with Moose Jaw, marking a 32-point improvement from his rookie season in 2022-23 (2g-5a–7p in 37 GP). Lakovic added eight points (5g, 3a) in 20 playoff games, helping Moose Jaw win the WHL championship. Lakovic represented Team Canada Black at the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, recording three points (1g, 2a) in seven games.
It marked the 20th time in franchise history that the Capitals selected a player from the WHL in the first round and Lakovic became the 10th left wing selected in the opening round by Washington.
Gastrin, 18, was ranked third among all international skaters by NHL Central Scouting. The 6’1”, 194-pound forward spent the 2024-25 season with MoDo’s junior team (Sweden-Jr.), recording 42 points (18g, 24a) in 40 games played. Gastrin, who served as an alternate captain, led the team in goals and ranked second in assists and points. The Ornskoldsvik, Sweden native also made his professional hockey debut and appeared in eight regular-season games with MoDo of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Internationally, Gastrin has captained Sweden at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2022 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. At the 2025 Under-18 World Championship, Gastrin earned a silver medal after tallying 10 points (3g, 7a) in seven games.
Schafer, 18, recorded three points (1g, 2a) in 31 regular-season games with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (Germany-1) in 2024-25. Schafer was one of three teenagers to dress for Eisbären Berlin this past season and the only one to record a point. The 6’3”, 182-pound forward also appeared in six DEL playoff games, helping Eisbären Berlin capture the league championship. In addition, Schafer played 15 games with Eisbären Berlin’s U-20 team, registering 35 points (12g, 23a), and three games with Lausitzer Füchse of DEL2 (Germany-2). Shafer represented Germany at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, the 2025 Under-18 World Championship and the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, amassing seven points (5g, 2a) in 14 games. At the World Junior Championship, Schafer recorded three points (2g, 1a) in five games, which ranked third on his team. Schafer served as an alternate captain for the Germans at the Under-18 World Championship, where he tied for the team lead in goals with three in five games.
Crowder, 18, recorded 24 points (11g, 13a) in 56 games between the Sioux City Musketeers and the Chicago Steel (USHL). The 6’2”, 184-pound forward ranked fourth among USHL rookies in penalty minutes (82), ninth in shots on goal (99) and tied for 17th in points. Crowder, a native of Allen, Texas, spent the 2023-24 season with the Dallas Stars Elite Under-16 team (16U-AAA), where he recorded a team-leading 107 points (48g, 59a) in 62 games. Crowder is committed to Ohio State University for the 2025-26 season.
Dahlqvist, 18, was ranked 17th among European defensemen and 48th among all European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. During the 2024-25 season, the 6’3”, 205-pound blueliner registered 12 points (2g, 10a) in 37 games with Brynäs IF’s U-20 team (Sweden-Jr.). Dahlqvist ranked second among the team’s defensemen in penalty minutes (43) and third in assists and points. The Gävle, Sweden native also appeared in 16 games with Brynäs IF in the Swedish Hockey League (Swedish-1). Internationally, Dahlqvist represented Sweden at the 2024 World Junior A Challenge, earning a silver medal.
Washington
Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft
Former BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa fulfilled his dream of going No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft.
The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the first pick.
Immediately after the pick, reactions poured in on social media about the Wizards drafting Dybantsa.
Social media reactions to the Washington Wizards selecting BYU star AJ Dybantsa
The Washington Wizards make it official, selecting BYU wing AJ Dybantsa with the No. 1️⃣ pick in the 2026 @NBA Draft. 🥳🎉
How does Dybantsa fit with the Wizards?#NBA #NBADraft #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/IqgikGpxbJ
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 24, 2026
WELCOME TO THE DYSTRICT🧙♂️ #ForTheDistrict | @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/ACZhphmTnq
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 24, 2026
NO. 1 OVERALL 🔒
AJ Dybantsa 🤝 @WashWizards
📺 2026 #NBADraft on ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/WO7RxMqQyK
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) June 24, 2026
BYU star AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 to the Washington Wizards.
First former BYU basketball player to be selected No. 1 overall.
He was the best player in his class since he was 14. This was a moment he had been chasing for years, and he got better along the way. pic.twitter.com/ugT9ITd2NP
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 24, 2026
OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL 😈 #ForTheDistrict | @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/YaOyAI48Ji
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 24, 2026
WITH THE FIRST PICK IN THE 2026 NBA DRAFT
THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS SELECT
ANICET DYBANTSA JR. ‼️ pic.twitter.com/po8oTm6B9T
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2026
With the 1st pick of the NBA Draft the @WashWizards select AJ Dybantsa!
The 2026 NBA Draft is LIVE on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ONGDMv9WZ7
— NBA (@NBA) June 24, 2026
Yer a Wizard, AJ 🌟
AJ Dybantsa is heading to the District at No. 1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/42atCNr441
— ESPN (@espn) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa is headed to Washington with the #1 overall pick in the NBA Draft 🚨 @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/HnFsgcqMgX
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) June 24, 2026
NUMBER ONE. pic.twitter.com/XJDFzK8dpK
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa is headed to @WashWizards with the first pick in the @NBA Draft 🚨 pic.twitter.com/IhNM2AjxLy
— Sports (@Sports) June 24, 2026
Picture perfect moment for AJ Dybantsa 📷 pic.twitter.com/rN8zbJr3cB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 24, 2026
AJ DYBANTSA GOES NO. 1 🧙♂️🔥
AD. Trae. AJ.
It’s up in Washington. pic.twitter.com/F1rAmF1Qb4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 24, 2026
FIRST LOOK AJ Dybantsa as a wizard pic.twitter.com/3kwGDX31cl
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) June 24, 2026
“Dybantsa, high volume player, high usage player.” 💪@KevinOConnor reacts to AJ Dybantsa being drafted No. 1 overall to D.C. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OZWDO0DKBJ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026
With the 1st pick of the NBA Draft the @WashWizards select AJ Dybantsa (@AJ_Dybantsa)!
The 2026 NBA Draft is LIVE on ABC & ESPN.
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) June 24, 2026
The #WashingtonWizards selected AJ Dybantsa at No. 1 this year, continuing to stack up their roster with talent. He will play alongside Trae Young and Anthony Davis, and form a three-headed monster.
Will he take home the 2027 Rookie of the Year award? Or will Darryn Peterson,… pic.twitter.com/EP1eJJJxPw
— The Big Lead (@TheBigLead) June 24, 2026
Washington D.C.’s reaction to AJ Dybantsa being taken first overall by the @WashWizards. #dcsports #ajdybantsa #wizards #nba pic.twitter.com/Dst5qW8tHr
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa led ALL of college basketball in scoring last season 🔥
Wizards got a bucket. pic.twitter.com/XYSWaBtLfj
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) June 24, 2026
🚨 THE NO. 1 PICK IS IN 🚨
AJ Dybantsa joins NBA royalty at the top of the draft 🤩#NBAonPrimeVideoPH pic.twitter.com/R3oRZ9DEgr
— NBA on Prime Video Philippines (@NBAPrimeVideoPH) June 24, 2026
WIZARDS TAKE AJ DYBANTSA #1 OVERALL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NceGfeVcq6
— Chalkboard (@ChalkboardHQ) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 overall to the Wizards👀
During his freshman season at BYU:
25.5 PPG
6.8 RPGpic.twitter.com/N6UHFgnXOK— RotoWire (@RotoWire) June 24, 2026
AJ IS A WIZARD 🪄
Dybantsa is the 1st player to lead the NCAA in scoring and go 1st in the NBA Draft since 1994. pic.twitter.com/SEpYf7Ausp
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 24, 2026
With the 1st Pick of the 2026 NBA Draft…. AJ DYBANTSA is heading to Washington 👏👏#Big12MBB | @BYUMBB pic.twitter.com/zNjaL98hoS
— Big 12 Studios (@big12studios) June 24, 2026
AJ DYBANTSA IS A WIZARD AND THEY’RE GOING WILD IN WASHINGTON D.C. 🎉🎉 pic.twitter.com/rmVqL0rWuy
— SleeperWizards (@SleeperWizards) June 24, 2026
A walk to remember for AJ Dybantsa.
He’s a Wizard. pic.twitter.com/if8cCn8GIp
— Jackson Payne (@jackson5payne) June 24, 2026
#HOFSeries Alum AJ Dybantsa. 🤝 #NBADraft | #HoophallU pic.twitter.com/C19N6j4vCR
— Hall of Fame Series (@hofseries) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa at BYU:
25.5 PPG
6.8 RPG
1.1 SPG
51.0 FG%What will he average as a rookie? pic.twitter.com/jv5ujz6AHz
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 24, 2026
John Wall 🤝 AJ Dybantsa
Dybantsa is the latest No. 1 pick to head to the Wizards 👏 pic.twitter.com/cFCLPn4cmN
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa (BYU) A 2026 Wooden Award All American and Top 5 Finalist from BYU, AJ Dybantsa’s talent and dedication have made him one of the game’s brightest stars. Congratulations on being selected No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards and taking the next step in your… pic.twitter.com/1ZlAaGJdxU
— John R. Wooden Award (@WoodenAward) June 24, 2026
Congratulations to AJ Dybantsa on being selected No. 1 overall by the @WashWizards in the @NBADraft 🏀
Dybantsa was a finalist for our 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Men’s College POY. @jerseymikes | @BYUMBB | @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/hzAQSOiHzc
— Naismith Awards (@NaismithTrophy) June 24, 2026
Oakland Soldiers alum AJ Dybantsa has been selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft 🏀@Soldiers_Salute ➡️ @NBADraft #NBADraft #EYBL @AJ_Dybantsa pic.twitter.com/lJWT0D4Fps
— The Circuit (@TheCircuit) June 24, 2026
AJ DYBANTSA TO THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS AHHHHHHHH 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/Z8pinO7KGQ
— Overtime (@overtime) June 24, 2026
Congrats to AJ Dybantsa who was just selected #1 overall by the Washington Wizards! pic.twitter.com/fCMAu3uhwN
— Grind Session (@thegrindsession) June 24, 2026
1. Washington Wizards: AJ Dybantsa, BYU#2026NBADraft pic.twitter.com/62Y1tcdu9T
— RealGM (@RealGM) June 24, 2026
THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS SELECT AJ DYBANTSA WITH THE NO. 1 PICK IN THE 2026 NBA DRAFT 🪄🔥
The BYU star is heading to the District 👏 pic.twitter.com/cvcIHS0W34
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 24, 2026
AJ Dybantsa is headed to DC 🤩
BYU’s superstar freshman goes first overall in the 2026 #NBADraft 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OGgFv0Lm1K
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) June 24, 2026
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
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Washington
Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule
ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders have released their 2026 Training Camp schedule, with eleven open practices between August 1 and August 19, including five open to all fans and six reserved for season ticket members.
For the fifth straight year, training camp will take place at the team’s football operations headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia.
Open practices for all fans are scheduled for August 1, August 7, August 8, August 18 and August 19.
Season ticket member practices will be held August 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12.
All sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., with gates opening at 7:30 a.m.
Fans can claim free tickets beginning June 23 at 10 a.m. General admission fans may request up to six tickets and one parking pass for a single day of camp. Season ticket members can claim tickets for two member‑exclusive days in addition to one general admission day. All parking will be on site at the BigBear.ai Performance Center and requires a parking pass.
The team plans several themed events throughout camp, including Back Together Weekend on August 1, Military Appreciation Day on August 7 and Kids Day on August 8. Local youth football and community groups will also be hosted throughout the summer.
For more information visit the Washington Commanders online.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Washington Commanders.
Washington
Algae-filled Washington pool to be drained for repairs after US$14.7 million renovation
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s National Mall is set to be drained again for repairs after algae and peeling paint appeared just weeks after a US$14.7 million renovation, while President Donald Trump threatened prison time for anyone caught damaging the pool.
The DC Water authority issued a permit to drain the 609-metre rectangular pool, it said on Monday, while the repair company said it would fix the pool as part of its warranty.
Peeling paint and algae growth have been visible in the pool since soon after Trump declared the renovation project complete on June 6. Critics have raised concerns about the no-bid contract to recoat the pool before the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations next month, as well as for the ducks that use its water. Workers from the National Park Service earlier this week poured hydrogen peroxide into the pool to combat the algae.
Trump, without evidence, has blamed vandals for the state of the landmark. On Monday, he echoed a weekend threat by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro to prosecute people accused of attempting to destroy the pool.
“Please remember that there is a 10-year prison sentence for the destruction, or even the attempted destruction, of such things – Which will be fully enforced!” Trump earlier wrote in a social media post. Destruction of federal property can carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
It was not immediately apparent what criminal or civil violation someone might commit reaching into the pool.
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