The Washington Capitals announced on Sunday that they have recalled defensemen Lucas Johansen and Dylan McIlrath from AHL Hershey. The two have joined the team in Winnipeg.
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The Washington Capitals have recalled defensemen Lucas Johansen and Dylan McIlrath from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Johansen, 25, recorded two points (1g, 1a) in 12 games with Hershey this season. The Vancouver, British Columbia native also appeared in one game for Washington this season, recording 11:47 of ice time on Nov. 7 against the Edmonton Oilers. Johansen made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point on Dec. 31, 2021 against the Detroit Red Wings. The 6’2″, 180-pound defenseman recorded 28 points (8g, 20a) in 62 games with Hershey during the 2021-22 season, establishing AHL career highs in goals, points and plus/minus (20). Johansen finished the season ranked first among Hershey defensemen in plus/minus and second in goals, assists and points. In 207 career AHL career games with Hershey, Johansen has recorded 75 points (18g, 57a). The Capitals selected Johansen with their first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.
McIlrath, 30, recorded five assists in 22 games with Hershey this season. The 6’5″, 232-pound defenseman ranks second on Hershey with 36 penalty minutes and his five points are tied for the third-most among Hershey defensemen. The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has played 66 career NHL games with the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings, recording five points (3g, 2a) and 121 penalty minutes. In 522 career AHL games with Hershey, Grand Rapids, Hartford, Springfield and Connecticut, McIlrath has recorded 105 points (27g, 78a) and 1,038 penalty minutes. Additionally, McIlrath won the 2017 Calder Cup with the Grand Rapid Griffins. McIlrath was selected by the Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft.
Both Johansen and McIlrath were made unavailable for last night’s Hershey Bears game, signaling they were likely en-route to Winnipeg.
All of the recent recalls are in response to injuries sustained by Capitals defensemen Martin Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev.
By Jon Sorensen
The only question on McIlrath? Doesn’t he still have time to serve on a suspension he got in training camp.
I’m guessing LuJo in lineup unless Orlov can return. (And guessing AA is no shape to return yet.
That’s probably why he was recalled, to burn the suspension time (tonight and Tuesday), they don’t need him tonight.
Now they say he’s technically served the suspension. But figure he’d be the “spare” defenseman and LuJo would get in.
I like McIrath’s size and willingness to play physical from what I recall. I’ve felt that the team has needed a physical presence since Willy has been out rehabbing. For example, Eller took some slashes after the whistle when he went to crash the net and nobody came to stand by him. Mantha was waaay too late in getting over there. it was Eller and two of the Flyers D men, I think.
We need Whip back to keep other teams from taking some liberties.
He’s an animal. It will be interesting To see if he gets in tonight. Didn’t skate with the starters, and Snively replaced Gustafsson when he left morning skate early. May have to use him if they go 12-6.
Hey Jon, yeah, don’t think McIrath will get in unless it’s very much needed. Seems to me that the Caps don’t really like physical D men as much as they like the D man who can skate it out, more puck handling skills. It’s like when they had Ty Lewington up and only used him for like one game or two.
Agree, DC. I think the writing was in the wall when they unloaded Brenden Dillon.