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Washington Capitals: Top 5 Defensemen Prospects

By Michael Marzzacco

ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VA - JUNE 30:Washington Capitals defensive prospect Connor Hobbs, right, gets hit from behind by center prospect Tim McGauley, left, during the Washington Capitals Development Camp at Kettler IcePlex on Friday, June 30, 2017. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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Tyler Lewington

OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 29: Tyler Lewington #78 of the Washington Capitals poses with the puck with which he scored his first career NHL goal in a game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 29, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 29: Tyler Lewington #78 of the Washington Capitals poses with the puck with which he scored his first career NHL goal in a game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 29, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Tyler Lewington was selected in the seventh round at 2014th overall back in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Coming from the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Lewington spent the next two seasons there before making the jump to the Capitals’ minor league system.

On March 4, 2015, Lewington was inked to a three-year entry-level deal and in the following season split time with both the Hershey Bears (Washington’s AHL affiliate) and the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League).

BRIDGEPORT, CT – JANUARY 21: Tyler Lewington #2 of the Hershey Bears plays a puck along the boards during a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena on January 21, 2019 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Gregory Vasil/Getty Images)
BRIDGEPORT, CT – JANUARY 21: Tyler Lewington #2 of the Hershey Bears plays a puck along the boards during a game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena on January 21, 2019 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (Photo by Gregory Vasil/Getty Images) /

Lewington recorded six points in both Hershey (3 goals, 3 assists) and South Carolina (1 goal, 5 assists). 2015-16 was Lewington’s best season in Hershey where he appeared in 72 games for the Chocolate and White and registered 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists) to lead the Bears to the Calder Cup playoffs.

In 2017-18, Lewington had 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in 71 games. 2018-19 saw Lewington get an NHL opportunity when the Capitals needed a defenseman in the midst of injuries to both Brooks Orpik and Christian Djoos.

Lewington made his NHL debut on Dec. 22 in Ottawa and appeared in the lineup again one week later, ironically, in Ottawa.

OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 29: Washington Capitals Defenceman Tyler Lewington (78) and Ottawa Senators Center Zack Smith (15) fight during second period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – DECEMBER 29: Washington Capitals Defenceman Tyler Lewington (78) and Ottawa Senators Center Zack Smith (15) fight during second period National Hockey League action between the Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators on December 29, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

In that second game, Lewington not only scored his first goal but had the rarity of a Gordie Howe Hat Trick as he also recorded an assist and got in a fight. It was the first Gordie Howe in Capitals history recorded by a defenseman since Kevin Hatcher against the Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 10, 1991.

Lewington finished the remainder of the season in Hershey helping to lead the Bears back to the playoffs. He scored 15 points (3 goals, 12 assists) in 65 games.

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