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Capitals loan defenseman Lucas Johansen to Hershey Bears

By Chris Cerullo

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December 30, 2022 6:15 pm

The Washington Capitals announced that they have loaned defenseman Lucas Johansen back to the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Friday evening.

Johansen was likely sent down as it appears Martin Fehervary is on his way back into the Caps’ lineup against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. To activate Fehervary from the injured reserve the Caps needed to clear a spot on their 23-man roster.

Johansen was recalled by the Caps before their game against the Rangers in New York this week after he was sent down right before the NHL’s holiday roster freeze and break.

The former first-round pick has gotten into his second and third career NHL games this season. In his most recent outing, he played in the Caps’ 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on December 11. He played just 13:32 of ice time in that game which was more than three minutes fewer than the next Caps defenseman. The Vancouver native has spent the vast majority of his professional career with the Bears and has two points (1g, 1a) in 13 games in the AHL this season.

Johansen will not require waivers as he has not played in ten or more cumulative NHL Games since being initially waived by the Caps in early October out of Training Camp.

Here’s the full release from the Caps:

Capitals Loan Lucas Johansen to Hershey

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

Johansen, 25, has appeared in two games with Washington this season. The 6’2″, 180-pound defenseman made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point on Dec. 31, 2021 against the Detroit Red Wings. In three career NHL games with the Capitals, Johansen has recorded one assist.

The Vancouver, British Columbia native has recorded two points (1g, 1a) in 13 games with Hershey this season. Johansen recorded 28 points (8g, 20a) in 62 games with Hershey during the 2021-22 season, establishing AHL career highs in goals, points and plus/minus (20). Johansen finished the season ranked first among Hershey defensemen in plus/minus and second in goals, assists and points. In 208 career AHL career games with Hershey, Johansen has recorded 75 points (18g, 57a). The Capitals selected Johansen with their first-round pick, 28th overall, in the 2016 NHL Draft.

Headline photo: Alan Dobbins/RMNB