HERSHEY, PA — Washington Capitals prospect Ethen Frank is nearing a return to the Hershey Bears lineup after being out about a month due to injury.
Frank, Hershey’s second leading goal-scorer, was a full participant in the Bears’ hour-long, grueling skate at Giant Center on Tuesday, which also featured the arrival of two-time NHL All-Star Evgeny Kuznetsov. Frank skated on the first line with Jimmy Huntington as center and Mike Vecchione on the left wing.
But Frank wasn’t the only 2023 Calder Cup champion returning to full health. Riley Sutter (upper-body) and Lucas Johansen (upper-body) also fully participated in the skate, shedding their non-contact jerseys.
“I bet other teams around the league are looking at us and going, ‘Holy cow,'” Bears head coach Todd Nelson said after the skate. “Plus we’re getting some guys healthy. That’s a good sign – got [Ethen Frank] back today, got [Riley Sutter] back, (Aaron) Ness skating out there, and [Lucas Johansen] was in a regular jersey. We were pretty banged up last weekend but it’s nice to see that our guys are getting healthy.”
The Bears also saw Pierrick Dubé make his return to the team after the Capitals sent him back down to the AHL on Monday. Matthew Phillips was also reclaimed by the Capitals from the Pittsburgh Penguins and optioned to Hershey — though he could be on his way back to Washington in short order.
Frank was originally hurt on February 9 against the Providence Bruins after colliding with the goal frame. He first returned to practice in a non-contact jersey on February 27. Two days later, he donned a regular jersey. He was supposed to play for Hershey over the past weekend but was unable to because he was still sore per Nelson.
Frank’s pending return comes as the Capitals may give the 26-year-old, two-time AHL fastest skater a look in the NHL. Frank is a restricted free agent this summer.
“He’s doing all the right things,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said before Frank’s injury. “I know it hasn’t resulted in a call-up yet and I don’t know when or if that comes to fruition, but the things he’s doing aren’t going unnoticed.”
Sutter was hurt on February 17 against the Toronto Marlies while Johansen has been out since January 24 after getting injured against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Johansen was spotted by HBH Nation Blog with his arm in a brace during a February 1 practice.
Lucas Johansen appeared on the bench at practice – his arm has a brace on it.
— Bears Hockey Nation (@HBHNationBlog) February 1, 2024
The only other player limited at Tuesday’s skate was defenseman Jake Massie who wore a non-contact jersey.
The Bears, including Kuznetsov, bussed down to Charlotte, NC on Wednesday before they hold another full practice on Thursday.
Heading down to the Queen City🚌💨💨💨 pic.twitter.com/0RWhwC3QOn
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 6, 2024
The team plays the Charlotte Checkers on Friday and Saturday. Friday marks a major day in the AHL as players who are on each team’s roster will be eligible for the 2024 Calder Cup playoffs.
“I’m not planning too far ahead,” Nelson said. “We’ll get through this week. We’ll see what hand we’re dealt.”
