The Washington Capitals recalled Lucas Johansen from the Hershey Bears on Monday afternoon.
Johansen arrives back with the big club after Rasmus Sandin was taken out of action with an upper-body injury in Sunday night’s loss to the Ottawa Senators. Head coach Spencer Carbery revealed that Sandin could be out for the rest of the regular season during his post-practice media availability.
NEWS | The Capitals have recalled defenseman Lucas Johansen from the Hershey Bears. https://t.co/fz7gg3rWd6
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 8, 2024
Johansen spent the first few months of the season with the Capitals in the NHL before being waived and sent down to the Bears in mid-December. The 2016 first-round draft pick recorded one assist in the six games he did play at the NHL level.
He has not played in a game for the Capitals since November 18.
With the Bears, Johansen has gotten into just 22 games as he’s battled his own injury issues. The left-shot blueliner has recorded 12 points (2g, 10a) in those games.
Johansen was a key member of the Hershey Bears’ championship team that won its 12th Calder Cup last season. He’ll likely play a similar role in Hershey’s attempt to repeat this spring.
Here’s the press release from the Capitals on the recall:
Capitals Recall Lucas Johansen
The Washington Capitals have recalled defenseman Lucas Johansen from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Johansen, 26, has recorded one assist in six games with the Capitals this season. The 6’2”, 189-pound defenseman made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point on Dec. 31, 2021 against the Detroit Red Wings. In nine career NHL games with the Capitals, Johansen has recorded two assists.
Johansen, the Capitals’ first-round choice (28th overall) in the 2016 NHL Draft, has registered 12 points (2g, 10a) in 22 games with Hershey this season. Johansen ranks third among Hershey defensemen in plus/minus rating (+18), tied for fourth in assists and fifth in points.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native recorded seven points (1g, 6a) in 40 games with Hershey in 2022-23. Johansen added six points (2g, 4a) in 20 playoff games, including an assist in Game 6 of the Calder Cup Finals. In 257 career AHL games with Hershey, Johansen has recorded 92 points (20g, 72a).
