Ivan Miroshnichenko is back in the NHL with the Washington Capitals for the second time this season.
The Capitals recalled Miroshnichenko from the AHL’s Hershey Bears on Friday evening. In a corresponding move to free up a roster spot, they placed forward Justin Sourdif on injured reserve retroactive to January 12. Sourdif has missed the last two games due to an upper-body injury he suffered against the Nashville Predators.
Miroshnichenko arrives back in DC after playing two games for the Capitals in December before being returned to the Bears, firing three shots on goal and averaging 9:38 of ice time. The 2022 first-round draft pick has seven points (2g, 5a) in eight AHL games since then, including a two-point (1g, 1a) effort against the Cleveland Monsters last weekend.
The 21-year-old Russian signed a two-year contract extension with the Capitals on Halloween.
Miroshnichenko has played in 41 career NHL games for the Capitals over the past three seasons, recording 10 points (3g, 7a). Caps general manager Chris Patrick spoke earlier on Friday about trying to get him more looks with the team down the stretch this year.
“We had a chance to bring him up, but he probably wasn’t going in the lineup right away, so better to leave him in Hershey playing versus bring him up to sit in the press box,” Patrick said. “When he comes up, we want to try to get him in the lineup as much as possible. We’ll keep looking at opportunities to get him up here, and see what he can do, and further evaluate him.”
Sourdif skated for the first time since his injury on Friday morning, wearing a light blue, no-contact jersey. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery ruled the 23-year-old centerman out of Saturday night’s game against the Florida Panthers, which he is now required to miss after being placed on IR.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Recall Ivan Miroshnichenko
Forward Justin Sourdif placed on IR
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Ivan Miroshnichenko 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 Justin Sourdif on Injured Reserve (IR).
Miroshnichenko, 21, made his season debut with Washington on Dec. 20 vs. Detroit and also played in the Capitals’ game at Detroit on Dec. 21. In 20 games with Hershey this season, Miroshnichenko has recorded 16 points (6g, 10a).
Miroshnichenko set AHL career highs in goals (23), assists (19) and points (42) with Hershey in 2024-25. Miroshnichenko’s 23 goals led Hershey, while his 42 points ranked third on the team. The Ussuriysk, Russia native also ranked second on the Bears in shots (146), tied for second in power-play goals (7), tied for third in game-winning goals (4) and fourth in power-play assists (10). During the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs, Miroshnichenko recorded five points (3g, 2a) in eight games, ranking tied for second on Hershey in goals and tied for third in points. In addition, Miroshnichenko appeared in 18 games with Washington last season, registering four points (1g, 3a). Miroshnichenko’s four points came in his first six games of the season, which included a career-long three-game point streak from Nov. 29 to Dec. 3, 2024 (3a). During his 18-game call-up, Miroshnichenko led the Capitals in hits per 60 minutes (9.99).
Miroshnichenko appeared in 21 games with the Capitals during the 2023-24 season, recording six points (2g, 4a). Miroshnichenko made his NHL debut on Dec. 20 vs. the New York Islanders and made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 26 at the New York Rangers, becoming the first member of his draft class to appear in a playoff game. In 47 regular-season games with Hershey in 2023-24, Miroshnichenko led Bears rookies in points (25), assists (16), power-play goals (2), points-per-game (0.53) and plus-minus rating (+15). Miroshnichenko added 12 points (7g, 5a) in 20 playoff games during Hershey’s run to the Calder Cup championship, ranking tied for second in goals and tied for third in points among AHL rookies.
The Capitals selected Miroshnichenko in the first round (20th overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Miroshnichenko has recorded 10 points (3g, 7a) in 41 career NHL games with Washington. In 120 career AHL games with Hershey, Miroshnichenko has registered 83 points (38g, 45a).
