Washington Capitals Assign Hendrix Lapierre To AHL Hershey Bears, Activate Lars Eller Off Of IR

The Washington Capitals assigned center Hendrix Lapierre to the AHL’s Hershey Bears and activated Lars Eller off of injured reserve prior to Sunday’s game at the Detroit Red Wings (5 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market). Eller missed the team’s last four games due to illness.

Lapierre’s assist in Washington’s 5-2 win at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday marked just his eighth point (all helpers) in 27 NHL games this season.

During the 2023-24 season, Lapierre established NHL career highs in games played (51), goals (8), assists (14) and points (22). The 6’0”, 191-pound forward made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in Game 1 of the First Round against the New York Rangers on April 21 and finished the series with two points (1g, 1a) in four games. Lapierre also appeared in 21 regular-season games with Hershey, registering 17 points (5g, 12a). The Gatineau, Quebec native was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the Calder Cup Playoffs MVP after leading all AHL skaters with 22 points (7g, 15a) in 20 playoff games. Lapierre, a two-time Calder Cup champion, recorded a team-high seven points (3g, 4a) in six games during the Calder Cup Finals against Coachella Valley.

Lapierre appeared in 60 games during his first professional season with Hershey in 2022-23, recording 30 points (15g, 15a). Lapierre ranked second among Hershey rookies in goals, points, power-play points (10) and shots (114). In addition, Lapierre ranked third on the Bears in power-play goals (5). Lapierre added six points (3g, 3a) in 20 playoff games, including the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final.

The Capitals selected Lapierre with the 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. In 84 career games with Washington, Lapierre has recorded 31 points (9g, 22a). Lapierre has registered 47 points (20, 27a) in 81 career AHL games with Hershey.

About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077

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