Capitals Loan Goalie Garin Bjorklund to Hershey, Activate Thompson and Dubois from IR
The Washington Capitals made a few key roster moves on Wednesday, headlined by loaning goaltender Garin Bjorklund to the Hershey Bears, their AHL affiliate. Alongside that, the team has activated goaltender Logan Thompson and forward Pierre-Luc Dubois from Injured Reserve, signaling a shift in the depth chart as the Caps look to recalibrate for the stretch run.
Let’s start with Bjorklund. The 23-year-old netminder has been bouncing between leagues this season, and his numbers reflect the learning curve that comes with that kind of movement.
In 11 games with Hershey, he’s 4-5-2 with a 3.43 goals-against average and a .879 save percentage. Not exactly eye-popping, but the lone shutout shows flashes of what the Capitals saw when they drafted him in the sixth round back in 2020.
What’s more telling is how Bjorklund has fared when he’s seen consistent time. In the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays, he’s looked far more comfortable.
In seven appearances this season, he’s gone 4-2-0 with a 2.37 GAA and a .929 save percentage - a significant jump in performance. That kind of split-level success isn’t uncommon for young goalies.
It’s all about rhythm and confidence, and Bjorklund has shown he can find both when he’s getting regular starts.
Last season was arguably his breakout year. In 2024-25, he dominated the ECHL with a 21-4-3 record, a 2.02 goals-against average, and a .927 save percentage across 29 games.
He helped lead South Carolina to the Brabham Cup, awarded to the team with the best regular-season record in the league. That kind of success doesn’t happen without strong goaltending, and Bjorklund was a big reason why the Stingrays were so tough to beat.
He also made a couple of starts for Hershey that season, going 2-0-0 with a 1.49 GAA and a .942 save percentage - numbers that suggest he’s capable of stepping up when called upon. His AHL debut came on March 26, 2025, when he stopped 26 shots in a 4-1 road win at Bridgeport. That performance gave the organization a glimpse of what he could offer at the next level.
Going back a bit further, Bjorklund’s 2023-24 campaign in South Carolina was more of a grind - 14-11-1 with a 3.33 GAA and a .882 save percentage - but again, he managed to notch a shutout and log meaningful minutes in net.
Across his young career, Bjorklund has now played 13 AHL games with Hershey, compiling a 6-5-2 record with a 3.11 GAA, a .889 save percentage and one shutout. In the ECHL, he’s been more consistent, with a 40-17-4 career record, a 2.63 GAA, a .907 save percentage, and two shutouts in 64 games. Those numbers speak to a goalie still finding his footing at the AHL level but clearly capable of being a difference-maker in the ECHL.
As for the Capitals’ NHL roster, the return of Logan Thompson and Pierre-Luc Dubois from IR is a welcome boost. Thompson’s activation gives Washington more flexibility in net, which likely played into the decision to send Bjorklund back to Hershey. With Thompson healthy again, the team can lean on more experienced options while Bjorklund continues to develop with regular reps in the AHL.
Dubois’ return adds another layer of depth up front. While he’s had a stop-and-start season due to injuries, getting a big-bodied forward like him back in the lineup gives Washington more options down the middle and some added physicality - something that could come in handy as the playoff push intensifies.
Bottom line: these moves give the Capitals a clearer picture of their goaltending situation and a healthier roster heading into a critical part of the season. Bjorklund will benefit from more consistent ice time in Hershey, and with Thompson and Dubois back in the fold, the Caps are better positioned to stay competitive in a tight Eastern Conference race.