WASHINGTON — With the season said and done, the Washington Capitals made some roster moves and transactions.
First, they signed defenseman Ryan Chesley, who joined the Hershey Bears on an amateur tryout, following his NCAA season, to his three-year, entry-level contract.
Chesley appeared in four games for Hershey to close out the regular season, picking up a goal and two assists for three points, along with a plus/minus of minus-1. He is still with the Bears as they continue their Calder Cup Playoff run, though he hasn't been in the lineup.
The 21-year-old was taken in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft and has three years of NCAA hockey under his belt, and has proven to be a promising puck-moving defenseman who will add a lot of value to D.C.'s core in the future.
Meanwhile, Hershey's playoff run continues on Friday, as they head to Charlotte to take on the Checkers in the Atlantic Division Finals.
With the Bears continuing their run, Washington returned defenseman Ethan Bear and goaltenders Clay Stevenson and Mitchell Gibson to Hershey. Ethen Frank, who was called up in January and remained in D.C. through the remainder of the year, was not eligible to return, and Ryan Leonard cannot play in the AHL after having signed his entry-level deal.
The Capitals will officially close the book on the season on Saturday, as players clean out their lockers and have their final media availability of the season.