The Washington Capitals have re-assigned right wing Brett Leason to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Additionally, forwards Nic Dowd and T.J. Oshie have been activated from the Injured Reserve list.
Oshie, who earned four goals and six points in seven games, missed the last 10 games with a foot injury sustained on October 27 vs. the Detroit Red Wings. Dowd (one goal in nine games) has missed seven of the last 11 with two different lower-body injuries.
Both players will be game-time decisions for the Capitals’ game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday (10:30 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington).
Leason, 22, made his NHL debut on Oct. 29 against the Arizona Coyotes and recorded three points (2g, 1a) in 10 games with the Capitals this season.
Oh yes Brett Leason! pic.twitter.com/Zm2XXhVepT
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 1, 2021
In five games with Hershey this season, the 6’5″, 215-pound right wing has one goal.
The Calgary, Alberta, native recorded 20 points (9g, 11a) in 33 games during the 2020-21 season with Hershey, including 13 points (5g, 8a) in his final 15 games. Leason surpassed his rookie point total of 14 (3g, 11a) set in 2019-20 in 17 fewer games in 2020-21, while also tripling his goal total. Leason ranked fourth on Hershey in goals and points and second in shots (74). Additionally, Leason was one of five skaters to appear in all 33 of Hershey’s games and was the only Hershey player to record a power play goal (1), a shorthanded goal (1) and a game-winning goal (2).
In 88 career games with Hershey, Leason has 35 points (13g, 22a).
At the junior level, Leason registered 89 points (36g, 53a) in 55 games with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 2018-19 season. In 190 career WHL games between Prince Albert and the Tri-City Americans, Leason recorded 140 points (60g, 80a). He received the 2019 E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence in 2019, presented annually by the NHL to a prospect who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness and athleticism.
Leason represented Team Canada in the 2019 World Junior Championship, recording five points (3g, 2a) in five games.
The Capitals selected Leason with their second round pick, 56th overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft.
I like what Leason gave us for the games he was here. Love his size as well. This was a good taste for him, but he has some work to do. Hopefully this call-up inspired him a bit.