With their first two picks of the 2011 NHL Draft, the Washington Capitals selected Norwegian goaltender Steffen Soberg with the 117th pick and defenseman Patrick Koudys of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) with the 147th pick.
The Caps had the 26th overall pick in the first round, but traded it to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Troy Brouwer Friday.
Soberg is listed at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds and is only 17 years old. Soberg plays for Mangerlud Star Ishockey of GET-ligaen in Norway, but has mediocre numbers, sporting a 4.17 GAA and .884 SV% last season. Via Ben Raby, Soberg would be the first Norwegian goalie to ever play in a NHL game if he makes it that far. Soberg's selections marks the third consecutive draft that the Caps have selected a goalie in the fourth round; last year, Washington selected Philipp Grubauer and Braden Holtby the year before.
Koudys, listed at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, is 18 years old and was one of the youngest players in the NCAA last year. In 32 games with RPI, Koudys had one goal and two assists.