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Capitals recall Tyler Lewington with Michal Kempny out indefinitely

By Ian Oland

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March 23, 2019 5:22 pm

The Washington Capitals called up defenseman Tyler Lewington from the Hershey Bears Saturday afternoon.

Lewington will give the Capitals defense some much-needed depth ahead of their game Sunday afternoon tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers. The team has only had six defenders since Michal Kempny was injured Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

According to the Capitals, Kempny is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. The Czech defenseman missed Friday’s game against the Minnesota Wild and has not practiced with the team since.

Todd Reirden hinted that the Capitals were looking to call someone up in his post-practice comments to media. The reason for waiting til after 5pm on Saturday was because of how close the team is to the salary cap.

“We’re going through [salary cap issues],” Reirden said. “As those move further along in the season, some more salary cap money becomes available. Then you might be seeing some players. Some different guys. Who fits and who doesn’t fit. Who’s playing well and who not playing well. I know [the Hershey Bears] are playing a game tonight. We’ll continue to evaluate and get our updates from down there and see who’s ready.”

Lewington, a steady, but unremarkable player in the AHL, made headlines during his first two games stint in the NHL during December. After playing in his first NHL game on December 22, Lewington tallied a Gordie Howe Hat Trick — a goal, an assist, and a fight in the same game — a week later. It was the first by a Capitals player in seven years.

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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 appeared in two games for the Capitals this season. Lewington made his NHL debut on Dec. 22 against the Ottawa Senators and recorded his first two NHL points (1g, 1a) on Dec. 29 against the Senators. The 6’2″, 202-pound defenseman was also charged with a fighting major in the game, marking the first Capitals Gordie Howe hat trick in seven years (Troy Brouwer, Dec. 7, 2011 at Ottawa) and the first time by a Capitals defenseman since Kevin Hatcher (Feb. 10, 1991 versus Philadelphia).

The Edmonton, Alb., native has recorded 14 points (3g, 11a) in 57 games with Hershey this season. Lewington has also recorded 113 penalty minutes, which leads the Bears and is tied for seventh in the AHL.

Lewington recorded 11 points (2g, 9a) in 71 games with Hershey 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 232 career games with Hershey, Lewington has 48 points (12g, 36a) and 493 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).