McIlrath, 30, has recorded one assist in six games with the Capitals this season. The 6’5″, 232-pound defenseman made his Capitals debut on Feb. 16 against the Florida Panthers and recorded his first point as a Capital on March 1 against the Anaheim Ducks. The Hershey captain has recorded 10 assists in 44 games with the Bears this season and leads the team in penalty minutes (83).

The Winnipeg, Manitoba native has played 72 career NHL games with the Capitals, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings, recording six points (3g, 3a) and 128 penalty minutes. In 544 career AHL games with Hershey, Grand Rapids, Hartford, Springfield and Connecticut, McIlrath has recorded 110 points (27g, 83a) and 1,085 penalty minutes. McIlrath was selected by the Rangers in the first round, 10th overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft.

It’s unclear if the move signals the return of Martin Fehervary (lower body) and/or Nick Jensen (upper body) from injury. We should know more at today’s Capitals practice, which is scheduled for 11AM this morning.

The Bears begin a huge two-game weekend set against the Providence Bruins in Providence on Saturday. The Bears are a single standings point ahead of the Bruins for first place in the Atlantic Division.

The Capitals returned from their west-coast trip on Tuesday, will practice Wednesday morning and return to action Thursday night when they host the New Jersey Devils at Capital One Arena.

By Jon Sorensen