Washington Capitals 2015 first round pick goaltender Ilya Samsonov has been placed on Russia’s World Junior Championship camp roster.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Capitals prospect Ilya Samsonov, drafted in the first round by the Caps in the 2015 NHL Draft, continues to impress as he has been officially named to Russia’s 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship camp roster. He is one of the three goaltenders invited and the only one of the trio that is currently playing in the KHL.

Samsonov gives Russia what they’ll need in order to compete with the United States, Sweden, and Canada in the World Junior Championships: an elite goaltender. Samsonov has put up historically good numbers in the KHL so far this season. He’s an extremely athletic goaltender who has proven that he can shine on the brightest of stages. He also has quite a bit of international experience. He has impressed with Russia’s under-18 and under-19 teams at international competitions.

Samsonov has a 1.87 GAA in 14 games so far this season for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He has mostly been used in a backup role with the team, but the team is beginning to give him more playing time.

It should be interesting to see how Samsonov responds to more playing time.