Photo: NHL

The Washington Capitals have signed forward John Albert to a one-year, two-way contract ($650,000/$220,000), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. 

On July 20, 2011, Albert signed with the St. John’s IceCaps of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the 2011–12 AHL season. On December 2, 2013, one day after being recalled by the Winnipeg Jets, Albert scored his first NHL goal on his first shot on goal in the league, beating goalie Cam Talbot of the New York Rangers in Winnipeg’s 5-2 victory at Madison Square Gardens.

On June 29, 2015, the Jets gave Albert a qualifying offer in order to retain his negotiation rights. Albert later signed an AHL contract with the Jet’s new affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, on September 16, 2015. After attending the Jets training camp on a try-out, he joined the Manitoba Moose and was named team captain.

On July 3, 2016, Albert ended his long tenure within the Thrashers/Jets organization, joining Oulun Kärpät of the Finnish Liiga. More at Elite Prospects here:

FROM CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE

Albert, 28, has registered 155 points (68g, 87a) in 283 career AHL games with St. John’s and Manitoba. During the 2013-14 season, the Cleveland, Ohio, native recorded 45 points (28g, 17a) and led St. John’s in goals. Albert collected seven points with St. John’s during the 2014 Calder Cup Playoffs, leading the IceCaps to the Calder Cup Finals. He served as an alternate captain with the IceCaps for two seasons, and was named team captain of the Manitoba Moose for the 2015-16 campaign.

The 5’11”, 190-pound forward played in Finland for Kärpät during the 2016-17 season, collecting 24 points (12g, 12a). Albert was drafted by Atlanta in the sixth round, 175th overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft. During the 2013-14 season, Albert appeared in nine games with Winnipeg and scored a goal against the NY Rangers in his NHL debut on Dec. 2, 2013. Prior to turning professional, Albert played at Ohio State (NCAA). He served as captain during his senior season and finished his career with 124 points (33 goals, 91 assists) in 159 NCAA games.