The Washington Capitals have announced that forward Hendrix Lapierre will be loaned to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). The move was confirmed by Capitals senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick.
Lapierre, 22, has contributed eight assists in 27 games with the Capitals during the 2023-24 NHL season. His time in Washington has marked steady progress in his development as a versatile forward.
In the 2023-24 campaign, Lapierre achieved NHL career highs in several categories, including games played (51), goals (8), assists (14), and points (22). He made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 21 in Game 1 of the First Round against the New York Rangers, finishing the series with two points (1g, 1a) across four games. Lapierre also excelled with Hershey during the season, recording 17 points (5g, 12a) in 21 AHL games.
Lapierre’s standout performances in the AHL playoffs earned him the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the Calder Cup Playoffs MVP. He led all AHL skaters with 22 points (7g, 15a) in 20 postseason games, helping Hershey secure their second Calder Cup championship in as many years. His seven points (3g, 4a) in six games during the Calder Cup Finals against Coachella Valley were pivotal to the Bears’ success.
The Gatineau, Quebec native has been a consistent contributor since his professional debut. In the 2022-23 season, Lapierre recorded 30 points (15g, 15a) in 60 games with Hershey, ranking second among Bears rookies in goals and points. He also demonstrated clutch performances in the playoffs, including scoring the game-tying goal in Game 7 of the Calder Cup Final.
Drafted 22nd overall by the Capitals in the 2020 NHL Draft, Lapierre has tallied 31 points (9g, 22a) in 84 career NHL games with Washington. His contributions extend to the AHL, where he has accumulated 47 points (20g, 27a) in 81 games with the Hershey Bears.
As Lapierre returns to Hershey, the Capitals anticipate that the young forward will continue to hone his skills and provide key contributions to the Bears’ lineup. The move aligns with the organization’s focus on fostering long-term player development.
Lapierre’s success across both the NHL and AHL reflects his potential as a rising star, and his time with Hershey will undoubtedly further his growth as a professional hockey player.