The Washington Capitals have recalled Sami Lepisto from the Hershey Bears. From the Caps’ press release:
Lepisto, 23, has played in 37 games for Hershey this year, posting 29 points (2 goals, 27 assists). He leads all Hershey defensemen in scoring and ranks 14th among AHL defensemen in points. His +25 rating leads the Bears and ranks second in the league, first among defensemen. Lepisto has an eight-game point-scoring streak with Hershey, recording one goal, 12 assists and a +12 rating in that time. He has seven assists in his last three games.
Lepisto was selected by the Capitals in the third round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, 66th overall, and becomes the fourth member of the 2004 draft class on the Washington roster (joining Alex Ovechkin, Jeff Schultz and Mike Green, who were all taken in the first round). Lepisto spent four seasons in the top professional league in Finland before making the move to the United States to play for the Bears.
The 6-foot, 176-pound Espoo, Finland, native, has never played in a regular season NHL game.
[update 1:45pm] Earlier reports have become official, Lepisto has been returned to Hershey.
The Washington Capitals have assigned defenseman Sami Lepisto to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Lepisto, 23, was recalled this morning from Hershey and practiced with Washington today at Kettler Capitals Iceplex before being assigned.
No official word if he gets his mileage reimbursed.
8 Comments
Does this mean Eminger’s out the door within a week?
He could be out the door, or they need/want and extra d-man while on the road….
or both.
Craig and Joe B were talking about Lepisto a while back, when the Caps had “Hershey Bears” night. I think Boumedienne said he figured Lepisto would be with the Caps very soon.
Erskine was hurt the other night, and since Eminger is a spare, its safe to assume Erskine will be out for a few games.
I cant find the stats on the AHL’s site, but I’d bet a lot of Lepisto’s assists are on the PP. Its a good bet he will get a chance to QB the PP, esp since it has struggled of late.
I shall spend the rest of the day repeating softly to myself…
“Espoooooooo…Espooooooooo”
Per Tarik, Lepisto is back in Hershey already.
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/
The Sami Lepisto era was even more disappointing than the Kris Beech era Part III
Whatever might have happened had Lepisto actually taken the ice for the Caps this Wednesday, I’m confident in predicting that he would have committed fewer delay of game penalties than Erskine.
He was probably sent back down because the upcoming trip is with the player’s dads, and the Caps didnt wanna play for a last minute plane ticket from Espoo to DC!
Hopefully his next callup lasts longer. Im intrigued to see what he can do at this level. He definately deserves a look.
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