2017 Offseason Player Tracker: Defensemen

June 15, 2017

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#2 Tyler Lewington
After establishing himself as a rookie in 2015-16, Lewington enjoyed a strong sophomore season in 2016-17, leading the team in penalty minutes and finishing tied for second in scoring among defenders.
2016-17 STATS: 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists), +16, 142 PIM in 72 games
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 will mark the final year of Lewington’s three-year, entry-level contract signed on Mar. 4, 2015. Lewington does NOT require waivers to be sent to Hershey.

#4 Madison Bowey
Bowey’s 2016-17 season was shortened due to a slight laceration of the tendon on his ankle that caused him to miss 32 games. The Winnipeg native will return to the Capitals’ organization this upcoming season and look to push for a roster spot in Washington and top minutes in Hershey.
2016-17 STATS: 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists), +6, 28 PIM in 34 games
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 will mark the final year of Bowey’s three-year, entry-level contract signed on Apr. 2, 2015. Bowey does NOT require waivers to be sent to Hershey.

#5 Christian Djoos
Djoos enjoyed the best season by a Hershey defender in the 21st century. He finished tied for second among AHL defenders with 58 points and ranked third on the Bears in scoring. Djoos’ exceptional sophomore season will likely see him get a good look from the Capitals in training camp as he looks to push for a roster spot in Washington.
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 will mark the first year of a new two-year deal signed by Djoos on Jun. 22. The contract is a two-way deal in 2017-18, and a one-way deal in 2018-19. Djoos DOES require waivers to be sent to Hershey. 
2016-17 STATS: 58 points (13 goals, 45 assists), +9, 34 PIM in 66 games.

#24 Lukas Johansen 
Johansen, Washington’s first round pick in 2016, joined Hershey in the playoffs, but did not play. After an exceptional junior career with Kelowna, he will make the jump to the professional level full-time next season.    
2016-17 STATS: DNP
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 is the first year of Johansen’s three-year, entry-level contract signed with Washington on Mar. 2, 2017. Johansen does NOT need waivers to be sent to Hershey.

#25 Colby Williams 
Williams was a pleasant surprise for Hershey and became a regular on the club’s blue line during his first professional season. He was named Hershey’s Rookie of the Year and earned an NHL contract with Washington that starts in 2017-18.      
2016-17 STATS: 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists), +15, 40 PIM in 60 games
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 is the first year of Williams' two-year, entry-level contract signed with Washington on Mar. 2, 2017. Williams was on a one-year AHL contract with Hershey last season. Williams does NOT require waivers to be sent to Hershey.

#27 Aaron Ness 
Ness, a gifted skater and AHL veteran, tied for second among Hershey defenders in points last season. He was dealt the misfortune of several nagging injuries that caused him to miss time both during the regular season and playoffs. He’ll return to the Capitals organization next season as the veteran leader in a talented group of up and coming defenders fighting for a spot in Washington.
2016-17 STATS: 17 points (5 goals, 12 assists), -5, 24 PIM in 51 games
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 is the final year of Ness’ two-year, two-way contract signed with Washington on Jun. 24, 2016. Ness DOES require waivers to be sent to Hershey. Ness is considered a veteran by AHL standards.

#32 Hubert Labrie
The hard-nosed defender posted career bests in games played, goals, assists, points, and penalty minutes in Hershey last season. Labrie was named Hershey’s Unsung Hero and was a popular player in the locker room. Labrie is now at 281 AHL games player, so he will either need to be qualified as a veteran or a veteran exempt player next season.
2016-17 STATS: 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists), +3, 66 PIM in 70 games
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract to Hershey. Labrie re-signed with the Bears on July 17, agreeing to a one-year, AHL contract. 

#33 Joey Leach
In his second year in Hershey’s organization, Leach skated in 18 games with the Bears. Leach last appeared in a game with Hershey on Jan. 22 and spent the second half of the season in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays.  
2016-17 STATS: 3 points (0 goals, 3 assists), +8, 35 PIM in 18 games
CONTRACT STATUS: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT. Leach was on a one-year AHL contract with Hershey in 2016-17. 

#34 Jonas Siegenthaler
A highly regarded prospect, Siegenthaler joined Hershey following the conclusion of his season in Switzerland. The big blue liner made a positive impression in Hershey and looks to make the jump across the pond to play full-time in North America.
2016-17 STATS: 0 points (0 goals, 0 assists), +2, 2 PIM in 7 games
CONTRACT STATUS: Under contract with Washington. 2017-18 is the first year of Siegenthaler’s three-year, entry-level contract signed with Washington on Jun. 30, 2015. Siegenthaler does NOT need waivers to be sent to Hershey.

#77 Tom Gilbert 
Gilbert, acquired by Washington in a February trade from the Los Angeles Kings, played a large role in solidifying Hershey’s blue line. The veteran of 655 NHL games played in the AHL for the first time in 10 years this past season and proved to be a great leader and mentor to Hershey’s young defenders. 
2016-17 STATS: 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists), +12, 6 PIM in 25 games with Hershey
CONTRACT STATUS: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT. Gilbert’s one-year, one-way contract with Washington is set to expire.