A pair of Washington’s 2016 Draft picks have arrived in Hershey and signed amateur tryout agreements. And their timing couldn’t be better.
Lucas Johansen, Washington’s first round pick (#28 overall) in last season’s draft, posted 41 points in 68 games this season with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets.
The big defenseman (6’2″, 177 pounds) finished second on the team in scoring for defensemen. He finished the year with a +23 rating, his best of the three seasons he’s spent in Kelowna.
His arrival in Hershey comes after Aaron Ness suffered a lower body injury against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. His older brother, Ryan, is a forward with the Nashville Predators.
Garrett Pilon, Washington’s third round pick (#87 overall) is also arriving from the WHL. The 19-year-old center played the past two seasons for the Kamloops Blazers. He scored 65 points this season and posted an astonishing +26 rating in 67 games. He led his team in assists and was third in points.
The center is also arriving at a key time for Hershey. Chandler Stephenson has been recalled to the Capitals again, so the Bears are left with three natural centers – Zach Sill, Travis Boyd, and Hampus Gustafsson. Nathan Walker will likely fill in at center as he has done several times this season.
Garrett is the son of Rich Pilon, a former NHL defenseman who played for the Islanders, Rangers, and Blues.
Our earlier articles on Johansen and Pilon
A Closer Look at our 28th Pick: Lucas Johansen
Capitals Sign Lucas Johansen and Colby Williams
Capitals Sign Garrett Pilon
Interview: Garrett Pilon – The Capitals 2016 Third Round Draft Pick Hungry for Success
By Julie Beidler
Look out @Galixon_97 – @Mitchy1_0 has a mean ⚾️ swing! pic.twitter.com/MWQG9QADZz
— Beids (@juliebeidler) April 29, 2017
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