Around The AHL: From Hershey to Ufa and back, Alexeyev keeps playing

Washington Capitals top defensive prospect Alex Alexeyev had to go halfway around the world and back to end up on familiar ground since first appearing in Hershey Bears chocolate-and-white colours as a rookie.

 

After spending this season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev, the 21-year-old blueliner is back with Hershey. Salavat was a surprise early exit in the Gagarin Cup Playoffs last month, so Washington sent the 21-year-old blueliner to the Bears on April 5. Washington selected the left-shot defenceman 31st overall in the 2018 NHL Draft; last season as an AHL rookie, he notched 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 58 regular-season games.

“You know, it's awesome, actually, to be back,” Alexeyev said of returning to Hershey. “I missed the boys. I missed Hershey. It’s just an amazing atmosphere in here at the Giant Center and in the dressing room, so I missed it a lot. And you know, just coming to the rink, getting better, and just playing my game.”