The Washington Capitals announced Wednesday morning that they have recalled forwards Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre from AHL Hershey. The pair were re-assigned to Hershey in a paper transaction for salary cap savings just prior to the holiday roster freeze on December 23. The Capitals return to action tonight against the Rangers in New York.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forwards Ivan Miroshnichenko and Hendrix Lapierre from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Miroshnichenko, the Capitals’ first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut on Dec. 20 vs. the New York Islanders, logging 10:14 of ice time. Miroshnichenko has appeared in three games with Washington this season and has averaged 9:33 of ice time.
The 6’0”, 192-pound forward has recorded 15 points (8g, 7a) in 27 games in his first season with Hershey. Miroshnichenko leads Bears rookies in goals, assists and points and ranks tied for eighth among AHL rookies in goals. Miroshnichenko ranks tied for third among all Hershey skaters in goals, but his seven even-strength goals are the second most on the team.
The Ussuriysk, Russia native recorded four points (3g, 1a) in 23 games with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) last season, where he averaged 8:27 of ice time per game. Miroshnichenko also recorded three assists in four games with Omskie Krylia of the Supreme Hockey League (Russia-2) and 14 points (10g, 4a) in 12 games with Omskie Yastreby of the Junior Hockey League (Russia-Jr.) in 2022-23. Miroshnichenko tallied seven points (2g, 5a) in 16 playoffs games with Omskie Yastreby, which ranked tied for eighth on the team.
Miroshnichenko spent the 2021-22 season with Omskie Krylia and recorded 16 points (10g, 6a) in 31 games. In addition, Miroshnichenko captained Russia to the gold medal at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he recorded nine points (4g, 5a) in five games. Miroshnichenko’s nine points during the tournament ranked tied for fourth among all skaters and his +7 plus/minus rating ranked tied for second. Miroshnichenko also represented Russia at the 2021 4 Nations Tournament, where he recorded two points (1g, 1a) in three games.
Miroshnichenko was ranked third among European left wings and 11th among all European forwards by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Lapierre, 21, has recorded five points (2g, 3a) in 14 games with the Capitals this season. The 6’0”, 188-pound forward recorded his second multi-point game (1g, 1a) of the season on Nov. 20 vs. the New York Islanders, which followed a three-point effort (1g, 2a) on Nov. 18 vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets. In eleven games with Hershey this season, Lapierre has registered eight points (2g, 6a).
Lapierre, the Capitals’ first-round choice (22nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, recorded 30 points (15g, 15a) in 60 games during his first professional season with Hershey in 2022-23. Lapierre ranked second among Hershey rookies in goals, points, power-play points (10) and shots (114). In addition, Lapierre ranked third on the Bears in power-play goals (5). Lapierre added six points (3g, 3a) in 20 playoff games, including the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Finals.
The Gatineau, Quebec native appeared in six games with the Capitals during the 2021-22 season. Lapierre made his NHL debut and scored his first career goal versus the New York Rangers on Oct. 13, 2021, becoming the first Capitals rookie since 2014-15 to make his NHL debut at the age of 19 and the fifth-youngest player in franchise history to score in his debut. In 20 career NHL games with Washington, Lapierre has recorded six points (3g, 3a).
By Jon Sorensen
When I was watching the world juniors I couldn’t help but think about how exciting the future of this team is. Since the Cup final I think we have done a good job Drafting future talent and finding diamonds in the rough through FA. I am going to miss watching Ovi play, the player that made me fall in love with hockey and the Caps. But I am looking forward to this next wave of Caps! I believe the transition to life after Ovi is going to be smoother than most people outside of Caps Nation think it’s going to be. Sure we have a few holes to fill in the lineup but looking at what this team could be. That team looks pretty exciting to me!
Miro – Strome – Wilson
Cristall – CMM – Leonard
Pro – Lappy – ?*
Beck – Sutter – ?*
Sandin – Chesley
Fehervary – Vinny
AA – ?*
Stevenson
Some forwards I would add, that may be future Caps are current Bears Pierrick Dube, Ethan Frank, and Bogdan Trineyev, 2022 3rd round picks Ludwig Persson, who is Top 5 in the Finnish Mestis league in scoring, 2023 7th round pick Brett Hyland, who has skill, and plays a hard nosed game, and Connor Bedard’s former sidekick, Alexander Suzdalev. Defensemen could be collegians Joe Lemay, David Gucciardi, and Brent Johnson, OHL 5th round pick Cam Allen and Bear Hardy Haman Aktell. Goalies could be Stingrays Mitch Gibson, and Garin Bjorklund, collegian Chase Clark, or in juniors Antoine Keller.
Yup. Lot of depth here. I agree, the future is exciting. I’d prefer a couple more Top Ten draft picks, to get a franchise center, and #1 defenseman, but unless we trade up, that ain’t happening this year.
Again, remember that AA, HL and IM all went 20+ in the draft… should have been top 10… Still want to see HL traded for a natural winger… Lots of talk from Kypreos that the Sens might offer up Chyckrun… he would be good
Like the forward view. And the pond is well stocked. while the above view is 3-4 years out, just looking at next year I think we can get 2 bears in NHL and probably 3-5 really fighting for it. And another 3-5 the next year. In terms of NHL readiness of true prospects (i.e. not Sgarbosa types) in order I would go:
1. Miro
2. Leonard
3. Lapierre
4. Sutter (in a very limited 4th line role)
5. Iorio
6. Chesley
I think there is good upside expectations for Suzdalev, Cristal, Trineyev, and even Dube. Lots of middle six and middle pair. Might have to supplement top six in FA or trade. We also have three second round picks next year and giving up some prospects picks to get a top pick may be worth it. I like a lot of the other prospects but need to see them stick their head above the crowd.
What do you think are the chances that Cole Eiserman slides to the top 10ish range (8-12)? I’m probably being overly hopeful…
Before the season I was ready to write off this year. And my head still is. Yes, my heart would love to see us win the Cup and Ovi to pass Wayne this year but my head tells me otherwise. So rather than trade prospects for vets, I want to give our prospects a real opportunity to make the team. Keep bringing them up. These guys were thought good enough to be drafted in some cases and all signed to contracts. They won the Calder Cup. They are leading the AHL. I want to see what they can do before we start trading them away and bringing someone else’s guess in. If we use this year as a gigantic PTO, so be it. Maybe by rotating them between the Caps and Bears we can speed up the pipeline. I prefer to have them on the ice in Hershey than in the press box in DC. But the more NHL game experience we can integrate into their development, the better. Then, this summer, when we know who is coming back and who is retiring or moving on, we will know what gaps we can fill internally and which we need to look outwards for.
To be clear, i am saying the same thing. Maybe 2 more true prospects in NHL next year. 2-4 the year after as contracts expire. But it is a lot of middle six talent. Maybe Miro and Leonard end up top 6. But our cup will be overflowing and trading a prospect or two might be best way to get a top line player.
We don’t want Cole Eiserman in this draft. We want Artyom Levshunov. He’s a 6’5″ freshman, who is teammate of Caps property David Gucciardi at Michigan State. Right handed D. Great skater for his size, and has a lot of offensive chops. John Carlson ain’t gonna be around forever, and we need to start grooming his replacement, and I really doubt it’s gonna be Sandin. Plus, Levshunov is Belarusian, and methinx we already have one of those, who could act as this kid’s big brother.
I have to say after seeing our goal struggles, I was thinking about adding a top goal scoring prospect. Now I do see what you are saying and you make a great case. “Personally” I’d be happy with either player, so hopefully at least one of them are there for us.