Capitals Cut Ties With Three Former Hershey Bears as Free Agency Nears

The Washington Capitals made a relatively quiet but meaningful roster decision Monday, electing not to issue qualifying offers to forward Ryan Hofer and goaltenders Garin Bjorklund and Jesper Vikman. Because the Capitals declined to qualify them before the deadline, all three are now unrestricted free agents and can sign with any NHL organization beginning July 1.

While none of the three became NHL regulars in Washington, each spent significant time in the Capitals’ development system, primarily with the Hershey Bears, and all contributed at different stages of their professional careers.

Ryan Hofer

Hofer, 24, was selected by Washington in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft after a productive WHL career with the Portland Winterhawks. The 6-foot-3 winger developed into a dependable bottom-six forward for Hershey during the 2025-26 season.

This past season, Hofer recorded 2 goals, 15 assists and 17 points while bringing a physical edge, finishing with 79 penalty minutes. During Hershey’s Calder Cup playoff run, he added one assist in 11 postseason games, filling a checking role and providing energy when called upon.

Although offensive production never reached NHL-prospect levels, Hofer earned a reputation as a hard-working, physical forward capable of killing penalties and playing an honest 200-foot game. The Capitals’ growing pool of young forwards—including Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, Terik Parascak, Petr Sikora, Eriks Mateiko and others—likely made it difficult to justify another NHL contract.

Garin Bjorklund

Bjorklund entered the organization with intriguing upside after starring in junior hockey. Injuries, however, repeatedly interrupted his development.

The Canadian netminder spent most of his professional career splitting time between Hershey and the ECHL while battling for opportunities behind other goaltenders in Washington’s system. Despite flashes of strong play, consistency proved difficult because of missed time and limited starts.

With Clay Stevenson and Mitch Gibson remaining under contract, plus additional goaltending depth entering the organization, Washington chose not to retain Bjorklund’s rights.

A fresh start elsewhere could provide Bjorklund with a better opportunity to compete for a larger workload.

Jesper Vikman

Vikman arrived from Sweden as an athletic goaltending prospect with NHL size and intriguing tools.

Like Bjorklund, though, Vikman found himself caught in a crowded depth chart. Most of his North American experience came in the ECHL, with occasional opportunities higher in the system.

The Capitals ultimately decided not to extend a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent despite still being just 24 years old. His age and international experience should attract interest from organizations looking to add organizational goaltending depth or from clubs in Europe.

What It Means for Hershey

For Hershey, the departures open additional opportunities for younger prospects expected to take on larger roles next season.

Several high-end forwards—including Andrew Cristall, Ilya Protas, Terik Parascak and Lynden Lakovic—are expected to push for significant minutes, while the Bears also have Clay Stevenson and Mitch Gibson under NHL contracts in goal.

The Capitals have clearly shifted toward creating roster flexibility and making room for the organization’s newest wave of prospects.

Final Thoughts

None of these moves qualifies as a surprise, but they mark the end of three developmental projects in the Capitals organization.

• Ryan Hofer developed into a reliable, physical AHL forward and should receive interest from AHL clubs looking for grit and penalty killing.
• Garin Bjorklund never quite caught a break with injuries but still has enough ability to continue his professional career.
• Jesper Vikman remains young enough to rebuild his value, whether in North America or back in Europe.

For Washington, the decision reflects confidence in a younger group of prospects and signals another step in reshaping the depth chart as the organization prepares for the 2026-27 season.