The Washington Capitals announced on Monday night that defenseman Lucas Johansen has been re-assigned to the Hershey Bears. Johansen was recalled by the Capitals on December 11 following injuries to Martin Fehervary and Alex Alexeyev.
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The Washington Capitals have loaned defenseman Lucas Johansen to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today,
Johansen, 25, has appeared in two games with Washington this season, registering three shots on goal. The 6’2″, 180-pound defenseman made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point on Dec. 31, 2021 against the Detroit Red Wings. In three career NHL games with the Capitals, Johansen has recorded one assist.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native has recorded two points (1g, 1a) in 12 games with Hershey this season. Johansen 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.
The move could signal that defensemen Martin Fehervary and/or Alex Alexeyev are ready to return to the active roster, although no other moves have been announced by the team. Both Fehervary and Alexeyev skated with the team on Monday in non-contact jerseys.
The return of Johansen was made prior to the 11:59 p.m. holiday roster freeze for the NHL, which lasts through 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 28. The roster freeze prevents any players on NHL active rosters or injured reserve from being traded, waived, or loaned to the AHL or ECHL during the holiday window, with a few small exceptions.
NHL clubs can still call players up to fill roster holes, and can make moves to address salary cap and roster limits in the event a player is activated off the Long Term Injured Reserve during the freeze.
The Bears are back in action on Wednesday when they visit the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in Allentown, PA. Puck drop is set for 7:15PM.
By Jon Sorensen