Capitals Re-assign Alexander Alexeyev to Hershey

The Washington Capitals announced on Monday afternoon that they have re-assigned defenseman Alex Alexeyev to the Hershey Bears. Alexeyev recently completed his first season with Salavat Yuleav Ufa of the KHL.

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-assigned defenseman Alexander Alexeyev from Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Alexeyev, the Capitals’ first-round choice, 31^st overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft, recorded 16 points (8g, 8a) in 55 games with Salavat Yulaev Ufa this season. The St. Petersburg, Russia, native ranked second on the team in points and third in ice time (17:52) among defensemen. The 6’4”, 210-pound defenseman was named the KHL’s Rookie of the Month for January after recording seven points (4g, 3a) and a +6 plus/minus rating in 11 games. Additionally, Alexeyev recorded an assist in nine playoff games.

Alexeyev, 21, finished his first AHL season in 2019-20 with 21 points (3g, 18a) in 58 games with Hershey. Alexeyev ranked third among Hershey defensemen and 12^th among all AHL rookie defensemen in points. Additionally, his 18 points at even strength tied for sixth among all AHL rookie defensemen. Alexeyev led Hershey defensemen in games played and ranked third in plus/minus (8).

In the 2018-19 season, Alexeyev recorded 43 points (10g, 33a) in 49 games with the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League (WHL), ranking eighth among defensemen in points per game (0.88). In 135 career games with Red Deer, Alexeyev recorded 101 points (21g, 80a).

Alexeyev has represented Russia at the 2019 World Junior Championship, the 2016 Under-18 World Championship and the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial. Alexeyev recorded six points (2g, 4a) in seven games en route to winning the bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior Championship.

Alexeyev is expected to join the Bears soon after he travels to Hershey and undergoes a mandatory quarantine period.

Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan spoke about prospects loaned to Europe in an interview with Capitals media in March. He said ”as teams finish in Europe, we’re gonna try and bring guys back and put them in Hershey to finish up the year in Hershey.”

Defenseman Bobby Nardella, who is playing for Djurgarden in the Swedish Hockey League is also still playing for Djurgarden.

The remaining Capitals prospect in Europe is Tobias Geisser, who is wrapping up his season with EVZ of the Swiss League.

More on Alexeyev’s season in the KHL can be found here.

By Jon Sorensen