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When Vincent Iorio was mic’d up by the Washington Capitals during a 3-on-3 tournament at their July development camp, it was a wise choice.
Iorio proved entertaining during the draft, when he was picked first by team captain and roommate Hendrix Lapierre, and while he provided commentary on the ice and compared his team to Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls.
“Keep it loose,” Iorio said. “When you do have to be serious, I am very serious, but I mean there’s nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun.”
Iorio, chosen in the second round (No. 55) in the 2021 NHL Draft, turns 20 on Nov. 14. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound native of Coquitlam, British Columbia signed a three-year, entry-level contract Oct. 4, 2021. That season he had 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in 22 games for Brandon of the Western Hockey League.
After attending Capitals prospect camp and training camp, Iorio had 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) in 60 WHL games last season, second among Wheat Kings defensemen in those categories and power-play assists (10) and tied for second with three power-play goals.
Capitals coach Peter Laviolette noticed the difference this year.
“Going back to just watching him skate now from watching him last year, I think his skating’s gotten better,” Laviolette said. “He’s coming off a good year where he put up decent numbers, had good points. You certainly notice him out here because of his size and the way he moves. Big defenseman that can move the puck and make plays and getting better through his development as well.”
Iorio was promoted to Hershey of the American Hockey League following the WHL playoffs, but he did not appear in a game.
“For me specifically, just quick passes on and off the tape,” he said comparing the AHL to the WHL. “No dusting the puck, so little things like that. The pace of play is a lot faster and eliminating extra time that’s not needed is going to be very important.”
Iorio said his time in Hershey provided more motivation to work hard in the gym and on the ice. He described himself as a puck-moving defenseman who is reliable in all three zones and looks up to Capitals defenseman John Carlson.
“He is very good at the first pass, and he loves to join to rush, so if I can emulate a little bit of that, that’d be great,” Iorio said. “Joining the rush is something that I definitely have to offer and it’s something that I progressively got better at in my time in the WHL. I’m looking to continue to do that.”
After four seasons in the WHL, Iorio is ready to begin his pro career with Hershey.
“You have to shine bright under the big lights,” he said. “That’s something my parents taught me growing up, always to stay calm and stay level-headed. So for me just taking things one step at a time, one shift at a time and not getting over your head.”
Photo courtesy: Jess Rapfogel/Washington Capitals
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