January 10, 2017
(Hershey, PA- January 10, 2017)-The Washington Capitals announced today that forwards Liam O’Brien and Paul Carey have been re-assigned to the
Hershey Bears.
O’Brien, 22, returns to the Bears after appearing in his first NHL game since 2014. The Halifax, Nova Scotia native was recalled by the Capitals on Jan. 6 and skated with Washington in the club’s 4-1 win at Montreal on Jan. 9. During the 2014-15 season, the undrafted forward earned a contact, and a spot on Washington’s roster, out of training camp. O’Brien appeared in 13 games with the Capitals that season, scoring two points (one goal, one assist) and registering 23 penalty minutes.
O’Brien is enjoying a career year with Hershey, striking for 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 28 contests this season. He has collected 48 penalty minutes with the Bears, and tallied a career-high three points (two goals, one assist) in Hershey’s 6-2 win over Bridgeport on Dec. 30. O’Brien has notched four multi-point games this season.
Carey, 28, did not dress for the Capitals during his fourth recall to Washington in the 2016-17 campaign. With Hershey, Carey has posted 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 28 games this season. He is tied for third on the team in points and tied for second in goals. The Massachusetts native notched points in 19 straight games earlier this season, tallying a point in every game he appeared in for the Bears from Oct. 26 through Dec. 26. His point streak is tied for the third longest in Hershey history, and was the longest streak in the AHL since Hershey’s Alexandre Giroux notched points in a club record 23 consecutive games during the 2008-09 season.
Carey has appeared in three games with Washington this year and made his 2016-17 season debut on Nov. 20 at Columbus. He appeared in four games with Washington last season and scored his first NHL goal on Feb. 6 at New Jersey. Carey has registered two points (one goal, one assist) in 29 career NHL games with Colorado and Washington.
The Bears return to action Friday at Lehigh Valley as they visit the rival Phantoms at 7:05 p.m. The game may be heard on the Bears Radio Network. The Bears return home to host the Phantoms on Saturday, January 14 at the GIANT Center for Scout Night at 7 p.m. Sunday, January 15 is STAR WARS Night featuring a STAR WARS jersey auction as Hershey hosts Binghamton at 5 p.m.