The Washington Capitals have recalled forwards Zach Sanford and Jakub Vrana from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
The Capitals will embark on a weekend road trip to Detroit and New York, and will need the forward call-ups. Either Sanford or Vrana will replace the injured Andre Burakovsky, while the other provides insurance for any potential needs that may arise while on the trip.
Sanford will suit up against the Red Wings, Trotz confirmed. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@TarikCSN) February 17, 2017
Sanford replaced Burakovsky for the first game Andre missed due to his hand injury. Sanford would notch the game winning goal in the waning minutes against Anaheim.
Zach Sanford’s first NHL Goal was a HUGE one. #Caps win 6-4. #CapsDucks #RockTheRed pic.twitter.com/LicjX3RUTg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2017
FROM CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE:
Sanford, 22, has earned two points (1g, 1a) in 21 games with the Capitals this season. The Salem, Mass., native made his NHL debut on Oct. 13 at Pittsburgh and earned his first NHL point with an assist on Oct. 30 at Calgary. Sanford scored the game-winning goal in the third period on Feb. 11 against Anaheim, marking his first NHL goal. Sanford was drafted by the Capitals in the second round, 61st overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft.
Zach Sanford is back @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/DJgoQSkYzt
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) February 17, 2017
Sanford registered 16 points (11g, 5a) in 25 games with Hershey this season. The 6’4”, 203-pound forward made his AHL debut on Dec. 2 at Lehigh Valley and earned his first AHL point with a goal on Dec. 4 against Syracuse. Sanford recorded a career-high four points (2g, 2a) on Dec. 11 against Rochester and scored two goals on Feb. 12 at Bridgeport.
Vrana, 20, has recorded three points (1g, 2a) in 12 games with the Capitals this season. The Prague, Czech Republic, native made his NHL debut on Dec. 1 against the Islanders and scored his first NHL goal on Dec. 9 at Buffalo. Vrana tallied his first multi-point game with two assists on Dec. 13 against the Islanders. He was drafted by the Capitals in the first round, 13th overall, in the 2014 NHL Draft.
Jakub Vrana is all smiles after being recalled from Hershey @NoVa_Caps pic.twitter.com/jDp2F2a6Q8
— Michael Marzzacco (@Marswaggo) February 17, 2017
Vrana has registered 25 points (13g, 12a) in 33 games with Hershey this season and ranks fourth on the team in goals. He registered 34 points (16g, 18a) in 36 games as a rookie with Hershey in 2015-16 and ranked fourth among Bears skaters in power-play goals (5), tied for fifth in goals (16) and tied for sixth in points (34). In addition, he ranked second on the team in points per game (0.94) after missing a majority of the regular season due to injury. Vrana has tallied 64 points (29g, 35a) in 72 career AHL games with Hershey
By Jon Sorensen
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