The Washington Capitals are getting Tom Wilson back in their lineup.
After Wilson stated he was “hopefully” playing against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, the Capitals made his return official by activating him off injured reserve hours later. In a corresponding move, the Caps sent Ivan Miroshnichenko back to the AHL’s Hershey Bears to free up a roster spot.
Wilson missed his eighth-straight game due to a lower-body injury on Monday, not dressing in the Capitals’ 5-2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche. He was a full participant in Wednesday’s morning skate and has been skating in a regular practice jersey for a whole week.
The 31-year-old forward was placed on injured reserve on January 9 after being injured by a counter hit from Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy on January 3. Wilson is still the Capitals’ leading scorer with 42 points (22g, 20a) in 41 games.
Miroshnichenko played in two games for the Capitals in his second stint with the club this season. In his last appearance, he skated 10:43 of ice time against the Avalanche, recording one shot on goal and a minor penalty for hooking.
The 21-year-old winger returns to the AHL, where he has 16 points (6g, 10a) in 20 games for the Bears.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Loan Ivan Miroshnichenko to Hershey
Forward Tom Wilson activated from IR
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have loaned forward Ivan Miroshnichenko to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. In addition, the Capitals have activated forward Tom Wilson from Injured Reserve (IR).
Miroshnichenko, 21, has appeared in four games with the Capitals this season. In 20 games with Hershey, Miroshnichenko has recorded 16 points (6g, 10a). The 6’1”, 205-pound forward ranks fourth on the Bears in points-per-game (0.80).
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, 2023 vs. the New York Islanders and made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 26, 2024 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 43 career NHL games with Washington. In 120 career AHL games with Hershey, Miroshnichenko has registered 83 points (38g, 45a).
