The Capitals recalled defenseman Tyler Lewington from the Hershey Bears on Saturday morning. This is the first career call-up for the 24-year-old defenseman. The Capitals re-signed Lewington to a two-year, $650,000 AAV contract in May.

The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Tyler Lewington from the Hershey Bears. #ALLCAPS #CapsSabres https://t.co/PSn3GZk37S

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 15, 2018

Lewington’s call-up comes after Christian Djoos underwent surgery on his left thigh on Friday. With Brooks Orpik still rehabbing a long-term injury and Djoos out for a “substantial number of weeks”, the Capitals’ blue line will have to dig deep.

Lewington will likely be the extra seventh defenseman, as Madison Bowey and Jonas Siegenthaler will see a substantial increase in their ice time and responsibilities.

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The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Tyler Lewington from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Lewington, 24, has recorded six points (2g, 4a) in 26 games with Hershey this season and is one of two defensemen to play in every game. Additionally, the 6’2″, 200-pound defenseman has recorded 67 penalty minutes, which leads the Bears and ranks third in the AHL.

The Edmonton, Alb., native recorded 11 points (2g, 9a) in 71 games last season. Lewington ranked third in the AHL in penalty minutes (149) and third among Hershey defensemen in games played. Lewington is the only player in the AHL to rank in the top five in penalty minutes in each of the previous two seasons. In 211 career games with Hershey, Lewington has 40 points (11g, 29a) and 447 penalty minutes.

Lewington was drafted by the Capitals in the seventh round, 204th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft after spending four seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Headline photo: Washington Capitals