The Washington Capitals loaned center Henrik Rybinski back to the Hershey Bears following last night’s 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins.
Rybinski was called up to the team after Lars Eller was placed on injured reserve due to illness on Saturday. He did not end up making his NHL debut during the Caps’ back-to-back.
What the Vancouver, British Columbia native did get was a lot of praise from Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery for his hard work and development in Hershey. Rybinski was one of the Capitals’ final cuts in Training Camp.
“He’s had a really good start to his year in Hershey,” Carbery said. “Had a great camp here in Washington and gives us a bit of versatility. There were some wingers in the mix that we certainly considered, but for him to be able to play the wing and center gives us that. That versatility, it’s a prime example as a young player, if you’re able to be moved around, it helps you. It’s an asset as a player.”
Getting the phone call to join the Caps was an emotional moment for Rybs, who was in disbelief when Todd Nelson told him the news.
“I’ve been playing since I was six, and you dream of coming up here and just being around here,” Rybinski said. “All the hard work, and then you think of all the doubts you had of would you ever get this opportunity. That’s kind of what made it feel really special.”
The Hershey Bears, who are struggling with injuries to key players, lost both games while Rybinski was gone. They went with 11 forwards and 7 defensemen against the Toronto Marlies on Saturday — a 7-3 loss. They lost 1-0 to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins the next day. Both games were at home.
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— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) December 21, 2024
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Loan Henrik Rybinski to Hershey
Forward ranks third on Hershey in points (20) this season
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals loaned forward Henrik Rybinski to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) following the conclusion of last night’s game, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick has announced.
Rybinski, 23, has recorded 20 points (6g, 14a) in 28 games with Hershey this season, his third season with the Bears. The 6’1”, 187-pound forward has already established single-season career highs in goals, assists and points (previously 2022-23: 5g-13a–18p in 51 GP). Rybinski, who averaged 0.31 points-per-game in 2023-24, has a points-per-game rate of 0.71 this season. Rybinski ranks second on Hershey in assists, second in plus-minus (+9) and third in points. The Capitals signed Rybinski to a three-year entry-level contract on March 1, 2022.
The Vancouver, British Columbia native appeared in 52 regular-season games with Hershey in 2023-24, registering 16 points (5g, 11a). Rybinski tied for the team lead in shorthanded points (4) and shorthanded assists (3). Rybinski added nine points (5g, 4a) in 19 playoff games and ranked tied for first on the team in plus-minus (+7) and tied for sixth in goals as the Bears won their second-straight Calder Cup championship.
Rybinski recorded 18 points (5g, 13a) in 51 games during his first professional season with Hershey in 2022-23. Rybinski ranked tied for third among Bears rookies in goals and fourth in assists, points and shots (42).
In 131 career AHL games with Hershey, Rybinski has recorded 54 points (16g, 38a).
Rybinski was originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. Rybinski played five seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) prior to signing with Washington. From 2017 to 2022, Rybinski registered 176 points (50g, 126a) in 233 career games with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Seattle Thunderbirds.
