The Washington Capitals announced on Monday that they have re-assigned forward Brett Leason to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL).
With the trade deadline acquisition of forward Johan Larsson, Leason appears to be the odd-man out moving forward. The move comes with welcomed arms in Hershey, as the Bears forward group has been decimated by injuries and call-ups this season, and has struggled to score goals.
Leason, 22, made his NHL debut on Oct. 29, 2021 against the Arizona Coyotes and has recorded six points (3g, 3a) in 36 games with the Capitals this season. In addition, the 6’5″, 218-pound forward has four points (2g, 2a) in 15 games with Hershey.
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).
The Capitals selected Leason with their second round pick, 56th overall, in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Hate to say it but he is sorely needed in Hershey.