With Lars Eller out due to COVID protocol, the Washington Capitals needed an extra forward so they recalled Mike Vecchione from the Hershey Bears. He has 36 points this season in the AHL.
The 29 year old’s 36 points ranks second on Hershey and his 24 assists lead the team in that category. He’s also scored 12 goals. The five foot 10, 193 pound forward is just four points shy of tying his AHL career high in points in a season (2017-18: 40 points).
The Saugus, Massachusetts, native has appeared in two career NHL games, both with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2016-17 season. He recorded 10 points in 18 games with the Colorado Eagles of the American Hockey League last season with seven goals and three assists, tying for the third most goals on the team.
Vecchione entered the 2020-21 season with three consecutive AHL seasons with at least 36 points, including a career high of 40 points with 17 goals and 23 assists as a member of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the 2017-18 season.
He originally signed with Philadelphia on March 31, 2017 following four seasons at Union College (NCAA), where he recorded 176 points in 149 career games (71 goals, 105 assists), additionally serving as team captain for his junior and senior seasons.
In 254 career AHL games between Hershey, Lehigh Valley, the San Antonio Rampage, and Colorado, Vecchione has recorded 160 points with 72 goals and 88 assists.
The Capitals held an optional morning skate. As Head Coach Peter Laviolette would say, they are probably working through some things in the room to determine the final lineup for tonight’s game against the New York Islanders.
Head coach Peter Laviolette discusses the call-up of Mike Vecchione, Conor McMichael slotting in at third-line center for Lars Eller and more after morning skate.#CapsIsles | @SociosUSA pic.twitter.com/xS1WinqS71
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 15, 2022
Laviolette told the media that Vitek Vanecek will get the start tonight in goal. As far as Vecchione, he is just “here for now” so it sounds like he probably won’t be in the lineup, keeping Daniel Sprong and Connor McMichael safe. McMichael will be centering the third line with Eller’s absence.
The Capitals host the New York Islanders tonight at 7 at Capital One Arena.