The Washington Capitals sent goaltender Pheonix Copley and defenseman Lucas Johansen back down to the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Thursday.

The moves come as the NHL will disband its taxi squads league-wide after the NHL All-Star Break.

Copley, who was called up with Vitek Vanecek injured, appeared in his first NHL game for the Capitals in nearly three years on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 30-year-old, North Pole, Alaska native came in relief of Ilya Samsonov early in the first period after Sammy gave up three goals on four shots. Copley turned away 21 shots and only gave up one goal, keeping the Capitals in the game until the very end.

The American goaltender has spent his time with the Hershey Bears since the 2018-19 season where he was Braden Holtby’s full-time backup. Copley has a record of 12-7-2 with two shutouts, a 2.50 goals-against average, and a .906 save percentage in 21 games with the Bears this season.

Johansen, the Capitals’ first-round pick in 2016, made his NHL debut on December 31 against the Detroit Red Wings. Lujo recorded an assist in that game – the only one he dressed for with the Capitals.

The Capitals will not play again until Tuesday, February 8 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The NHL’s All-Star Weekend begins in Las Vegas on Friday.

Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:

Capitals Re-assign Pheonix Copley and Lucas Johansen to Hershey

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-assigned goaltender Pheonix Copley and defenseman Lucas Johansen to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Copley, 30, made 21 saves in his season debut last night against the Edmonton Oilers. In 21 games with the Bears this season, Copley has posted a record of 12-7-2 with two shutouts, a 2.50 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, leading the Bears in each respective category.

In 212 career AHL games, Copley has a 112-67-24 record with 15 shutouts, a 2.54 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

The North Pole, Alaska native appeared in 27 games with Washington in 2018-19, posting a 16-7-3 record with one shutout and a 2.90 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. In 30 career NHL games with the Capitals and the St. Louis Blues, Copley has a 16-9-3 record with a 2.92 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.

Johansen, 24, made his NHL debut and recorded his first NHL point on Dec. 31 versus the Detroit Red Wings. Johansen has recorded 13 points (3g, 10a) and a +16 plus/minus rating in 31 games with Hershey this season. The Vancouver, British Columbia native is on pace to record 28 points this season, which would mark a new single-season AHL career high (2017-18: 6g-21a-27p in 74 games played). In 164 career games with Hershey, Johansen has recorded 58 points (12g, 46a). Johansen was selected with the Capitals’ first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk/RMNB