CAPITALS SIGN & RECALL JOEL RECHLICZ, RECALL CODY EAKIN

January 30, 2012

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Joel Rechlicz to an entry-level contract and recalled him and forward Cody Eakin from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Rechlicz, 24, has recorded one goal, one assist and 184 penalty minutes in 27 games with Hershey this season. He currently leads the AHL in penalty minutes. Rechlicz spent last season with Hershey, appearing in 28 games posting one goal and 132 penalty minutes.

The Brookfield, Wisconsin, native has played in 23 NHL games with the New York Islanders from the 2008-09 season to 2009-10, collecting one assist and 95 penalty minutes. In 105 career AHL games with Albany, Bridgeport and Hershey, Rechlicz has compiled two goals, two assists and 562 penalty minutes. The 6’4”, 220-pound forward originally signed with the New York Islanders on May 6, 2008 and was signed by Hershey on July 29, 2010. He will wear No. 54 for the Capitals.

Eakin, 20, has collected eight points (four goals, four assists) and a plus-three rating in 27 NHL games this season. He made his NHL debut on Nov. 1 vs. Anaheim and recorded his first NHL point (an assist) and scored his first NHL goal on Nov. 4 at Carolina.  

Eakin has recorded 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 20 games with Hershey in the AHL this season. In his first full professional season, Eakin leads all rookies on Hershey in goals, assists and points. Eakin appeared in four regular-season games for Hershey during the 2009-10 season (two goals) and played in five postseason games as Hershey won the 2010 Calder Cup.

The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native helped Canada earn a silver medal at the World Junior Championship last season and helped guide the Kootenay Ice to the Western Hockey League (WHL) championship. Eakin finished the Memorial Cup playoff round tied for second in points (six) and his three goals scored tied for third. He collected 239 points (118 goals, 121 assists) in 238 career WHL games.

Both players will participate in Washington’s practice today at 2 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.