Photo credit: Kyle Mace

The Capitals announced Tuesday that they have traded Hershey’s Matt Clackson to the Coyotes organization in return for Joel Rechlicz. “Wrecker” played a handful of games under the Hunter Caps last year, where he was known mostly for his wood stick, fighting talent, and cheerful attitude rather than anything strictly related to playing hockey.

Rechlicz is expected to play in Hershey.

Here’s the press release from the Capitals.

Capitals Acquire Joel Rechlicz from Phoenix

The Washington Capitals have acquired forward Joel Rechlicz from Phoenix in exchange for forward Matt Clackson, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Rechlicz will report to Hershey.

Rechlicz, 25, has posted 149 penalty minutes in 36 games with Portland of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, leading the team and ranking 15th in the league in that category among active AHL players this season. He made his Capitals debut on Jan. 31, 2012 versus the Lightning in Tampa Bay and played in three NHL games with Washington last season, recording 10 penalty minutes.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native has played in 26 NHL games with Washington and the New York Islanders, collecting one assist and 105 penalty minutes. In 158 career AHL games with Albany, Bridgeport, Hershey and Portland, Rechlicz has compiled two goals, two assists and 794 penalty minutes. The 6’4”, 220-pound forward originally signed with the New York Islanders on May 6, 2008.

Clackson recorded one goal, two assists and 36 penalty minutes in 19 games with Hershey this season.