Saturday, Alex Alexeyev played his first game for the Hershey Bears since November 6, 2022, and his first hockey game in general since a November 8, 2024 appearance with the Washington Capitals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Despite not suiting up for 3 months and 21 days, Alexeyev was fantastic in the Bears’ 5-4 overtime victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Giant Center.
Skating on the team’s second pairing with Ethan Bear, Alexeyev finished the game with a primary assist and a plus-minus of plus-4.
The Saint Petersburg, Russia-native’s apple came on a Mike Vecchione goal, 6:59 into the third period, to narrow the Penguins’ lead to 3-2. Alexeyev sent an indirect shot toward the scorer of the 2023 Calder Cup-winning goal, who redirected the puck past Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry.
Alexeyev was sent down to the AHL for a conditioning stint on Saturday morning to “make sure that he’s staying ready for when his number is called,” per Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery. Beyond practicing with the Capitals, the 25-year-old defense prospect has worked closely with skills coach Kenny McCudden and fellow reserve defenseman in Washington, Dylan McIlrath.
Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson was impressed with Alexeyev despite his lack of game action at the NHL level.
“I thought he was very good,” Nelson said. “He was sticking and pinning in the D Zone. He’s been working out a lot, hasn’t been playing. He’s a big man and I thought he did a great job for us tonight. I was wondering if there was gonna be a bit of rust. There’s maybe a couple passes he might want to have back, but other than that, he was really solid for us.”
Technically, Alexeyev is now on a two-game point streak in the AHL after registering an assist in the November 6, 2022 Bears’ game he appeared in.
Alexeyev’s loan to Hershey can last only a maximum of 14 days before he must be returned to the Capitals. He remains on Washington’s NHL roster during this span.
