Photo: @Capitals
The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Mike Vecchione from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Vecchione, 29, ranks second on Hershey this season with 36 points (12g, 24a) and leads the team with 24 assists. The 5’10”, 193-pound forward is just four points shy of tying his AHL career high in points in a season (2017-18: 40 points).
Mike Vecchione sticks a fork in it in overtime. Bears win 2-1. #HBH pic.twitter.com/1IJtZWJ3fH
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 30, 2022
The Saugus, Mass., native has appeared in two career NHL games, both with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2016-17 season.
Vecchione recorded 10 points (7g, 3a) in 18 games with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, tying for the third-most goals on the team.
Vecchione entered the 2020-21 season with three consecutive AHL seasons with at least 36 points, including a career high of 40 points (17g, 23a) as a member of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the 2017-18 season.
Vecchione originally signed with Philadelphia on March 31, 2017 following four seasons at Union College (NCAA), where he recorded 176 points (71g, 105a) in 149 career games, additionally serving as team captain for his junior and senior seasons.
In 254 career AHL games between Hershey, Lehigh Valley, the San Antonio Rampage and Colorado, Vecchione has recorded 160 points (72g, 88a).
Poor Bears offense. McMichael and Fehervary haven’t played at Hershey this year and so have not contributed to them. The top Bears points leaders are Snively, Vecchione, and Axel. They are all now with the Caps. And there are a bunch of injuries. I know that their captain, Moulson is IR after surgery, don’t know who has come back. You guys keep track of all that better than I can.
Your Eric Lord did write: The level of success that the Bears achieve depends on a number of factors. The team needs healthy bodies, both in Hershey and Washington. The Capitals being at full strength means the Bears will have more players to navigate their schedule. If this does not happen, the organization will have to continue to find capable players to fill in to keep players fresh.
Bears still looking for all those good bodies.
All AHL teams have been dealing with injuries and COVID. Check Lehigh Valley, Providence, etc.
I’m sure that all have. It has been a rough year trying to make up consistent rosters for the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. But that doesn’t stop me from having sympathy for the Bears. Don’t really care if Pits, Trotz, Baaston, LHV, WBS, Providence, Atlanta, or Jacksonville are having roster issues. Do care for the Caps, Bears, and Rays.