The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Jakub Vrana from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. 

The recall is likely insurance for the team’s trip to Montreal for Saturday’s game against the Canadiens. However, Head coach Barry Trotz has stated in the past that the Caps intend to have Vrana on the roster for playoffs. They expected him to be up and down until then.

This is Vrana’s second recall of the season. It’s unclear if there if the move is at all related to Justin William’s injury.  William’s missed Wednesday’s game against the Bruins, however, coach Trotz stated it was a precautionary scratch, and that he thought Williams would be ready to play on Saturday.

FROM THE CAPITALS PRESS RELEASE
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.

Vrana has registered 24 points (13g, 11a) in 30 games with Hershey this season and ranks tied for second on the team in goals and fourth in points per game (0.80). Vrana 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). The 6’0”, 195-pound forward tallied eight multi-point games last season and registered a five-game point streak (3g, 2a) from March 19-26, 2016. 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 recorded 14 points (8g, 6a) in 21 games with the Bears during the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs, ranking third in the AHL in goals (8) and second on the team in points (14).

BEARS MAKE ADDITIONAL ROSTER MOVE
Bears have recalled goaltender Parker Milner from the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Milner, 26, made his Hershey debut in last Saturday’s 4-2 victory in Springfield. Milner stopped 30 of 32 shots to earn his seventh career AHL victory, and his first as a member of the Bears. With South Carolina, the Pittsburgh, PA native has posted a 17-10-0 record and a .905 save percentage this season with the Stingrays. Milner’s 2.53 goals against average is the third best mark in the ECHL, and his 17 victories are tied for the fourth most in the ECHL.

By Jon Sorensen
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Congratulations @jakubvranaa on your first career #NHL goal!

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