RoadRunners' Bond headed to Capitals' camp

Topeka RoadRunners defenseman Chris Bond has been invited to participate in the Washington Capitals’ Development Camp, which will run from July 11-17 at Kettler Capitals IcePlex in Arlington, Va.

The camp is designed for the team’s entry-level players, unsigned draft picks and invited undrafted players.

“This is a huge honor just to be invited and I’m going to do my best to make the most of this opportunity,” said Bond.

“Chris is a smart, solid hockey player,” said RoadRunners head coach Scott Langer.  “He’s very much a student of the game, and he has the physical tools to make a difference. On the ice, he has a world of potential; off the ice, he’s a classy kid and a great teammate.”

This past season, Bond, an 18-year-old from Centreville, Va., tallied 14 assists in 48 regular-season games. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound blueliner was also a plus-25.

“The thing you notice about Chris, from a coaches standpoint, is his work ethic,” said RoadRunners assistant coach R.J. Enga.  “He works as hard as anyone on the team at improving his game and paying attention to the little things. He’s extremely coachable and hungry to learn.” 

The invite to the Capitals’ camp came as a surprise to Bond.

“I knew they came out to watch me a couple of times, but I didn’t know if anything would come from it,” he said.  “I’ve just continued to work out hard and run a lot. I’ve also tried to get on the ice a couple of more times in the last week so I’m ready to go right away and so I don’t have to worry about any rust.”

Bond figures to play a key role in the RoadRunners’ drive for the Robertson Cup championship in 2010-11.

“I’m really looking forward to this season,” he said.  “We have some unfinished business to attend to.”