The Washington Capitals have loaned defenseman Tobias Geisser to EV Zug of Switzerland’s National League, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

As we pointed out in our November prospect report, Geisser has been the odd man out this season in Hershey. The level of competition for a playing spot on the Bears blueline has been significantly elevated with the arrivals of Martin Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev. The re-assignment will allow for Geisser to get more playing time this season.

In an interview with Bears radio last October, Bears head coach Spencer Carbery commented that Geisser has improved tremendously in the month that he’s known him. Carbery said he was impressed by how fast Geisser was learning the AHL game.

The 6’-4” defenseman has the raw skills and was named the a Bears most improved player last season.

According to EV Zug, Geisser is expected in Zug next week at the latest. The loan agreement runs until the end of the 2019/2020 season. If the Washington Capitals were to be shorthanded due to injury, they could theoretically get the defender back earlier.

2018-2019 Washington Capitals Prospect Review and Forecast – Tobias Geisser

FROM THE CAPITALS MEDIA RELEASE

Geisser, 20, appeared in seven games with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season.

During the 2018-19 season, Geisser recorded one assist in 41 regular season games with Hershey. The Stans, Switzerland, native was also selected to represent Switzerland at the 2019 World Junior Championship.

The Capitals selected the 6’4”, 201-pound defenseman in the fourth round, 120th-overall, in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to the draft, Geisser was ranked 30th overall among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting. With the Capitals’ selection of Geisser, Washington had selected a Swiss-born player in the NHL Draft in three consecutive seasons (2016: Damien Riat, 2015: Jonas Siegenthaler).

Geisser made his National League debut in 2016-17 and recorded one assist in 14 games with EV Zug in his rookie season. In 52 career National League games, all with EV Zug, Geisser has seven points (2g, 5a).

In addition to his 2019 World Junior Championship selection, Geisser represented Switzerland at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championship, the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup and the 2016 U20 4 Nations Tournament.