November 27, 2020
We’re in the midst of a different offseason in the hockey world. The AHL’s season was cancelled due to COVID-19, while the NHL awarded the Stanley Cup with a 24-team playoff.
With that, free agency in the NHL normally starts July 1, however NHL contracts for the 2019-20 season were extended through October during this unpredictable situation. Players who were on AHL contracts in 2019-20 are unrestricted free agents as of July 1, however these players could still be re-signed by the Bears. NHL Free Agency opened Friday, Oct. 9 at Noon.
Many of your favorite players from Hershey's 2019-20 squad are already under contract and could return to the Washington Capitals organization next year. Our Player Tracker has you covered!
Below is a list of players who skated with Hershey in 2019-20, and ended the season in the organization, and their current contract status. This list will be updated as players re-sign and sign elsewhere.
Not sure what all this means? CapFriendly has a great Q&A page for your reference.
Players in
BOLD are under contract for the 2020-21 season
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE AGENT ADDITIONS:
March 5-Capitals signed forward Damien Riat to two-year, entry-level contract
June 29-Bears signed defenseman Tyler Nanne to a one-year, AHL contract
June 30-Bears signed goaltender Hunter Shepard to a one-year, AHL contract
July 1-Bears signed defenseman Will Graber to one-year, AHL contract
August 19-Capitals signed goaltender Zach Fucale to a one-year, two-way contract
September 14-Bears signed forward Mason Morelli to a one-year, AHL contract
September 21-Bears signed forward Caleb Herbert to a one-year, AHL contract
September 29-Bears signed defenseman Macoy Erkamps to a one-year, AHL contract
October 10-Capitals signed defenseman Cameron Schilling to a one-year, two-way contract
October 10-Capitals signed defenseman Paul LaDue to a one-year, one-way contract
October 11-Capitals signed forward Daniel Carr to a one-year, two-way contract
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FORWARDS:
#10 Shane Gersich
Under contract with Washington. Signed a one-year, two-way extension on Oct. 14.
#11 Steve Whitney
Under contract with Hershey. Re-signed with the Bears, agreeing to terms on a one-year, AHL contract on Jul. 16
#12 Matt Weis
Under contract with Hershey. Re-signed with the Bears, agreeing to terms on a one-year, AHL contract on Jul. 17.
#13 Beck Malenstyn
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the third year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
#14 Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the third year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
Loaned to Vastervik IK to start 2020-21 season
#15 Travis Boyd
Signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct.10
#17 Mike Sgarbossa
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the second year of a two-year, two-way contract with the Capitals in 2020-21.
#18 Garrett Pilon
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the third year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
#19 Philippe Maillet
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the second year of a two-year, two-way contract with the Capitals in 2020-21.
#20 Liam O'Brien
Signed an American Hockey League contract with the Colorado Eagles on Nov. 27
#21 Joe Snively
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a two-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
#22 Kale Kessy
Under contract with Hershey. Re-signed with the Bears, agreeing to terms on a one-year, AHL contract on Sept. 25.
#23 Brett Leason
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
#24 Riley Sutter
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
#26 Matt Moulson
Under contract with Hershey. Re-signed with the Bears, agreeing to terms on a one-year, AHL contract on Aug. 7.
#28 Brian Pinho
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the first year of a two-year deal signed on Sept. 17.
#36 Kody Clark
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
#38 Daniel Sprong
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the first year of a two-year deal signed on Sept. 18. His deal is a one-way contract.
#39 Chris McCarthy
Announced his retirement via Instagram on Aug. 15. Was on a one-year, AHL contract with Hershey in 2019-20.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEFENSEMEN:
#2 Tyler Lewington
Signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Nashville Predators on Oct. 13
#4 Kristofers Bindulis
Bindulis was not given a qualifying offer by Washington. He has signed with Krefeld Pinguine of the DEL for 2020-21.
#6 Lucas Johnasen
Under contract to Washington. He signed a one-year, two-way contract on on Oct. 3.
#7 Connor Hobbs
Hobbs has retired from pro hockey. He will attend the University of Saskatchewan where he will get his education and play hockey for the Huskies.
#25 Colby Williams
Currently an unrestricted free agent
#27 Alex Alexeyev
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
Loaned to Salavat Yulaev Ufa of KHL to start 2020-21 season
#29 Tommy Hughes
Signed an ECHL contract with Brampton. Was on a one-year, AHL contract with Hershey in 2019-20.
#32 Erik Burgdoefer
Currently an unrestricted free agent
#33 Tobias Geisser
Under contract to Washington. Due to an entry-level slide, will be on the second year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
Loaned to EV Zug to start 2020-21 season
#34 Eddie Wittchow
Under contract with Hershey. Re-signed with the Bears, agreeing to terms on a one-year, AHL contract on Aug. 19
#37 Bobby Nardella
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a two-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
Loaned to Djurgardens IF (SHL) for the 2020-21 season.
#42 Martin Fehervary
Under contract to Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year, entry-level contract in 2020-21.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOALTENDERS:
#30 Vitek Vanecek
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year contract in 2020-21.
#31 Pheonix Copley
Under contract with Washington. Will be on the second year of a three-year contract in 2020-21.
#35 Parker Milner
Announced his retirement and is working for a local newspaper in Charleston, South Carolina. Was on a one-year, AHL contract with Hershey in 2019-20.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Players on AHL contracts in 2019-20 that did not play with the Bears who are unrestricted free agents: F-
Cole Ully (Signed ECHL contract with South Carolina on Nov. 17), D-Tariq Hammond (Signed ECHL contract with South Carolina on Sept. 9)
Players on AHL contracts in 2019-20 that did not play with the Bears who signed elsewhere:
G-Logan Thompson (Signed NHL contract with Vegas on Jul. 13)