The Washington Capitals recalled Hardy Häman Aktell from the American Hockey League on Tuesday morning.
Häman Aktell had one previous stint with the Capitals this season, playing six games early in the 2023-24 schedule. After a demotion in mid-November, the Swedish rearguard played out the rest of the year with the Hershey Bears.
Now, after spending the last five months in the minor leagues, Häman Aktell could make his NHL postseason debut against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
NEWS | The Capitals have recalled defenseman Hardy Häman Aktell from the Hershey Bears. https://t.co/R7ah5snuFU
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 23, 2024
Häman Aktell arrives after fellow rookie defender Vincent Iorio was taken out of Sunday’s Game One by a hit from Rangers forward Alexis Lafrenière. Iorio slammed hard into the side boards and immediately got up grabbing at his shoulder. He did not practice on Monday and was listed as “day-to-day” by head coach Spencer Carbery.
According to Monumental Sports Network’s Tarik El-Bashir, Iorio jumped on the ice midway through Tuesday’s morning skate wearing a light blue, non-contact jersey.
The Capitals are also still dealing with upper-body injuries to Rasmus Sandin and Nick Jensen. Despite being listed as a “possibility” for the first two games of the series by head coach Spencer Carbery, neither player has shed their non-contact jerseys at practice.
Washington is also without Ethan Bear as he remains in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program. The Caps have four of Hershey’s regular blueliners up on their roster to help them navigate their first-round series. Chase Priskie is now the lone defenseman on Todd Nelson’s Bears with an NHL contract.
Häman Aktell got into 55 games for Hershey this season, posting 11 points (2g, 9a). The AHL playoffs kick off tonight and the Bears will not be involved as they earned a first-round bye into the Atlantic Division Semifinals.
Here’s the Capitals’ full press release:
Capitals Recall Hardy Häman Aktell
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.
Häman Aktell, 25, has recorded one assist in six games with Washington this season. The 6’3”, 216-pound defenseman made his NHL debut on Oct. 21 at Montreal and recorded his first career NHL assist and point on Oct. 29 vs. San Jose. In addition, Häman Aktell has recorded 11 points (2g, 9a) in 55 games with Hershey this season.
Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round (108th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Häman Aktell signed with the Capitals on April 27, 2023 after spending the previous three seasons with the Växjö Lakers of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL).
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.
