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Washington Capitals call-up Hardy Häman Aktell from AHL Hershey

By Ian Oland

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October 19, 2023 3:33 pm

The Washington Capitals, who have been out-scored 12 to 4 combined in the first three games of the season, will turn to the AHL Hershey Bears for some help on defense.

The Capitals recalled defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell and announced that they placed goaltender Charlie Lindgren on injured reserve.

Häman Aktell, who the Capitals signed from the SHL over the summer, was the team’s final cut on defense and impressed in five preseason games. When six-foot-three rearguard was on the ice, the Capitals posted a 62.4 shots-attempts percentage, 65.2 scoring chances percentage, and 71.5 expected goals percentage at five-on-five.

Häman Aktell, 25, made his AHL debut last Saturday for Hershey, and scored his first career AHL goal, in Hershey’s 5-2 win over Cleveland on Saturday.

The Capitals signed Häman Aktell to a one-year, two-way entry-level contract on Apr. 27.

He recorded 36 points (9g, 27a) in 51 games with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) during the 2022-23 season.

Here’s the Capitals full press release:

Capitals Recall Hardy Häman Aktell

Goaltender Charlie Lindgren Placed on IR

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. In addition, the Capitals have placed goaltender Charlie Lindgren on IR.

Häman Aktell, 25, has recorded one goal in two games with Hershey this season. The 6’3″, 216-pound defenseman made his AHL debut on Oct. 13 vs. Belleville and scored his first career AHL goal on Oct. 14 vs. Cleveland.

Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Häman Aktell signed with the Capitals in April after spending the last three seasons with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). Häman Aktell appeared in five of Washington’s six preseason contests, registering eight shots and two penalty minutes.

Häman Aktell recorded 36 points (9g, 27a) in 51 games with Växjö in 2022-23. The Kåge, Sweden native led Växjö in plus/minus (+23), ranked second on the team in assists and points and tied for third among SHL defenseman in points. Häman Aktell added seven points (3g, 4a) and recorded a +6 plus/minus rating in 18 playoff games, helping Växjö capture the SHL championship for the second time in three years. In 151 career SHL games with Växjö, Häman Aktell recorded 63 points (17g, 46a).

Prior to joining Växjö in 2020-21, Häman Aktell recorded 16 points (6g, 10a) in 45 games with IF Björklöven of HockeyAllsvenskan (Sweden-2) during the 2019-20 season and six points (1g, 5a) in 34 games during the 2018-19 season.

Headline photo: Ian Oland/RMNB

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