The Washington Capitals announced Thursday morning that they have signed forward prospect Ethen Frank to a one-year, two-way deal ($775,000/$205,000) for the 2023-24 season. Frank is currently on an AHL deal (no NHL call-ups) with Hershey, and was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2022-23 season.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ethen Frank to a one-year, two-way contract ($775,000/$205,000) for the 2023-24 season, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Frank, 25, has recorded 41 points (24g, 17a) in 45 games with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. Frank’s 24 goals lead Hershey and rank tied for fifth in the AHL. In addition, Frank ranks first among AHL rookies in goals and tied for second in points. The 5’11”, 185-pound forward represented the Bears at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic and was named the AHL Rookie of the Month for January after recording 13 points (7g, 6a) in 10 games. Frank, who signed an AHL contract with Hershey on April 11, 2022 after a five-year collegiate career at Western Michigan University, has recorded 42 points (25g, 17a) in 50 career AHL games with the Bears.
Frank served as assistant captain for Western Michigan (NCAA) in 2021-22 and recorded 39 points (26g, 13a) in 38 games. The Papillon, Nebraska native finished the season with the most goals in NCAA Division I and led the Broncos in shots on goal (141), power-play goals (10) and game-winning goals (6). In addition, Frank was selected to the NCHC First All-Star Team and the NCAA (West) Second All-American Team. In five seasons at Western Michigan, Frank registered 118 points (70g, 48a) in 158 career games.
Frank was another high-quality college free agent signing by Capitals’ Director of Player Recruitment, Danny Brooks, who has also successfully recruited and signed undrafted college free-agents Joe Snively, Bobby Nardella and Clay Stevenson, just to name a few.
[Related:Rookie Ethen Frank Leading The Way In Hershey]
Frank, a college free-agent, signed with the Bears in April of 2022, and has been by far the most impressive young forward so far this season in Hershey.
Frank was selected to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game, which took in Laval, Quebec. “It means a lot. I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work, so it’s nice to get a little recognition,” Frank told Bears Radio.
As part of the All-Star Game festivities, Frank participated in the fastest skater competition. He not only won with a time of 12.915 seconds, he set a new All-Star Game record.
Rookie Ethen Frank leads the Bears in goals (21) and is second in points (37)… AND HE CAN FLY! #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ctdeTcynvF
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 5, 2023
Frank was interviewed after winning the competition. He was asked what’s the secret to winning the event?
”Skate fast. Really, I don’t know. It’s something we do everyday, all day, after practice and it’s just kind of a normal habit at this point. Gettin’ faster is still one of my goals. Still working on things trying to get things exactly right, and make it as efficient as possible.”
Frank The Tank! Ethen Frank with his second of the game and 15th of the season. #HBH #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JPl7ysQ8Vc
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 14, 2023
Frank has been thriving on a line with veterans Mike Sgarbossa and fellow All-Star Mike Vecchione. Frank said he’s been a “sponge” around the vets, gleaning all he can on how to play the professional game.
Ethen Frank makes it 20 goals on the season! #ALLCAPS #HBH cc: @capitals pic.twitter.com/QYmb3JTyZK
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) January 29, 2023
“I think kinda the standard we set for ourselves every game that we step on the ice. We know we are depended on to create offense and be strong, defensively,” Frank told Bears Radio earlier this week. “I think we keep ourselves accountable, and hold up to that standard when we come back from a bad shift. We’re kinda letting each other know that that’s not good enough and we need to be better, and fix it the next shift.”
By Jon Sorensen