Capitals Assign Four to Hershey, Bears Sign Nathan Walker

Baltimore, MD – Casey Wellman, seen here at the Baltimore Hockey Classic, was one of the four assigned to Hershey today. (Kyle Mace – Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

The Washington Capitals announced today they have assigned four players to the Hershey Bears after making Saturday’s cuts. Those four players are Casey Wellman, Ryan Stoa, Jeff Taffe, and Nathan Walker. Walker, as reported by the George McPhee on Saturday, has signed a one-year deal with Hershey.

Wellman scored one goal in Washington’s shootout loss to Boston during the Baltimore Hockey Classic. The Capitals acquired the 25-year-old forward midway though last season in exchange for Zach Hamill. In  33 regular-season games, Wellman scored nine goals and finished the season with 30 points for Hershey.

Ryan Stoa scored a goal of his own during the preseason. Stoa had 11 goals and 19 points in 46 games last season for the Chocolate and White.

AHL veteran Jeff Taffe will return to Hershey after scoring 71 points with 53 assists in 73 games he played in a Bears jersey last season.

The Bears also signed 19-year-old Nathan Walker, as reported by George McPhee at Capitals Convention today. Walker was born in Wales but grew up in Australia. If he ever makes the Capitals, he would be the first Aussie in the NHL. Our sister blog Russian Machine Never Breaks explains why the Capitals were unable to sign Walker to an NHL deal right now, nonetheless Walker is a great sign for the Bears.