The Washington Capitals announced Monday afternoon that they have re-assigned goaltender Garin Bjorklund from ECHL South Carolina to AHL Hershey. In addition, the Hershey Bears announced that goaltender Mitchell Gibson has been released from his Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) as he returns to Harvard University to finish schooling.
MORE FROM THE BEARS
The Washington Capitals, the NHL affiliate of the Hershey Bears, announced today that goaltender Garin Bjorklund has been re-assigned from South Carolina (ECHL) to Hershey.
Additionally, the Bears released goaltender Mitchell Gibson from his amateur tryout agreement as he returns to Harvard University to finish schooling.
After missing the majority of the season due to injury, Bjorklund, 20, made his professional debut for South Carolina last Saturday, earning a 5-4 shootout victory over Jacksonville. He stopped 24 shots, and also denied three-of-four attempts in the shootout to earn his first pro victory.
The Capitals selected Bjorklund in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Prior to turning pro, he finished his junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2021-22, posting a 8-36-2 record with a 4.26 goals-against average, and a .877 save percentage. In 96 career games in the WHL with Medicine Hat, Bjorklund is 40-48-4 with three shutouts, a 3.50 goals-against average, and a .892 save percentage.
Bjorklund will wear #1 for Hershey.
On Saturday Bjorklund recorded his first professional win in his pro hockey debut for ECHL South Carolina. With the win, the Stingrays (45-22-4-1) clinched the South Division for the seventh time in franchise history. Bjorklund stopped 24 of 28, including this highlight reel series of saves.
GARIN BJORKLUND 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/c3UBu0WmE2
— XY – SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) April 15, 2023
Bjorklund also shut the door for the Stingrays in the shootout, sealing the victory and the division title for South Carolina.
Garin Bjorklund’s celly game is on point. #ALLCAPS (🎥: IG: @malibumadsy) pic.twitter.com/Jm9RIelHxk
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) April 16, 2023
The Bears are idle this week, having earned a first round bye in the AHL playoffs. The Stingrays open the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs next Saturday, April 22nd, at the North Charleston Coliseum for Game 1 of the Divisional Semifinal round against the Florida Everblades. Puck drop is set for 6:05 p.m.
By Jon Sorensen