Brett Leason is back in the NHL with the Washington Capitals for the first time since his rookie 2021-22 season.
The Capitals recalled Leason from the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Wednesday morning. In a corresponding move to free up a roster spot, they placed forward Aliaksei Protas on injured reserve retroactive to January 1. Protas has missed the last two games due to a lower-body injury he suffered against the Ottawa Senators.
Leason, a Capitals second-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, returns to DC after signing a one-year contract with the Caps at the end of October. He was available after the Minnesota Wild released him from a professional tryout agreement during training camp, and the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers had only signed him on a PTO basis.
The 26-year-old winger has been an effective veteran piece for a young Bears team this season, posting 14 points (6g, 8a) in 20 games. Leason previously played 114 games for the Bears from 2019 through 2022, before the Capitals lost him on waivers to the Anaheim Ducks ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Leason played the next three seasons for the Ducks, posting 48 points (22g, 26a) in 184 games, which included a career-best 22 points (11g, 11a) during the 2023-24 season.
The Capitals are presently dealing with injuries to Protas, Tom Wilson, and Pierre-Luc Dubois. All three injured forwards skated on Tuesday but aren’t expected to play against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday night. The Caps used just 11 forwards in their win over the Ducks on Monday.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Recall Brett Leason
Forward Aliaksei Protas placed on IR
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Brett Leason from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. In addition, the Capitals have placed forward Aliaksei Protas on Injured Reserve (IR), retroactive to Jan. 1.
Leason, 26, has recorded 14 points (6g, 8a) in 20 games with Hershey this season. The 6’5”, 220-pound forwardranks fourth on the Bears in goals and tied for sixth in assists and points.
Leason spent the previous three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, registering 48 points (22g, 26a) in 184 games. During the 2023-24 season, Leason recorded a career-high 22 points (11g, 11a) in 68 contests. Leason, who was claimed off waivers from Washington on Oct. 10, 2022, ranked fifth among Ducks forwards in shorthanded ice time (257:15) and sixth in hits (179) over his three seasons with the team.
The Calgary, Alberta native recorded six points (3g, 3a) in 36 games with the Capitals during the 2021-22 season. Leason made his NHL debut on Oct. 29, 2021, against the Arizona Coyotes and finished the season ranked third among Capitals rookies in games played. Leason also made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut on May 5, 2022 in Game 2 of the First Round at Florida.
In 220 career NHL games with Anaheim and Washington, Leason has recorded 54 points (25g, 29a). Leason has registered 61 points (24g, 37a) in 134 career AHL games with Hershey.
Leason was originally drafted by the Capitals in the second round (56th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft.
