The Washington Capitals recalled rookie defenseman Connor Carrick from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League Wednesday afternoon.
Carrick, who was on Washington's opening-night roster in October, recently represented the United States in the World Junior Championships, earning three assists and finishing with a team-leading plus-7 rating in five games. In 13 AHL games, the 19-year-old has four assists, though he missed time with an upper-body injury.
Carrick impressed the Capitals during the preseason with his puck-moving ability and poise, but the team ultimately decided to send him to the minors after three games so that he could gain more professional experience.
He could have the opportunity to do so at the NHL level as soon as Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. As a right-handed defenseman, it is entirely possible that Carrick could replace Steve Oleksy in the lineup.
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