Ethen Frank was named an AHL All-Star for the third consecutive year on Wednesday, but he has an even bigger milestone to celebrate now.

On Friday morning, the Hershey Bears’ leading goal-scorer over the past three seasons received his first NHL call-up. In a corresponding move, the Capitals reassigned Ivan Miroshnichenko to the AHL.

A two-time Calder Cup champion, Frank netted 30 and 29 goals in his first two AHL seasons. He currently leads the team with 20 goals in 35 games during the 2024-25 season, ranking second in the league. Known for his powerful, precise shot, Frank is also considered the fastest player in hockey, having won the AHL’s Fastest Skater competition for two consecutive years—outpacing even Connor McDavid.

While Frank has been under consideration for a Capitals call-up over the past year, it had not materialized until now. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery commented last season, “What [Ethen] is doing is catching the organization’s attention. I know it hasn’t led to a call-up yet, and I don’t know when or if that will happen, but what he’s accomplishing isn’t going unnoticed.”

Frank, an undrafted college free agent, spent his first professional season on an AHL contract and has always dreamed of this moment.

“It would mean everything,” Frank told RMNB about a potential call-up to Washington. “Obviously, everyone who plays the game is working their entire lives and careers toward reaching the NHL and staying there. I can’t take anything for granted, and just one shift would mean the world to me. It would really put into perspective how much work it takes to get to that level.”

Frank’s call-up comes just as the Capitals are about to play a back-to-back this weekend, starting with a game against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, followed by a matchup with the Nashville Predators in Music City on Saturday.

Capitals Recall Ethen Frank, Loan Ivan Miroshnichenko to Hershey

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled forward Ethen Frank from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) and loaned forward Ivan Miroshnichenko to Hershey, announced senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick today.

Frank, 26, has posted 28 points (20 goals, 8 assists) in 35 games with Hershey this season. Recently selected to represent the Atlantic Division at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, Frank leads the Bears and ranks second in the AHL in goals. He is also tied for first on the team in points.

A two-time Calder Cup champion with Hershey, Frank recorded 47 points (29 goals, 18 assists) in 64 regular-season games in 2023-24, leading the team in goals, power-play goals (13), and game-winning goals (9). He finished tied for second in the AHL for game-winning goals, tied for fourth in power-play goals, and tied for eighth in total goals. In the playoffs, Frank contributed 17 points (10 goals, 7 assists) in 18 games, helping Hershey secure its 13th Calder Cup. He ranked tied for first among all AHL players in goals and power-play goals (4) and third in points during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

During his first full professional season in 2022-23, Frank recorded 49 points (30 goals, 19 assists) in 57 games, leading the Bears in goals, power-play goals (9), and shots (186). He was the AHL’s top goal-scorer among rookies and finished tied for fourth in points among first-year players. Frank was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team and helped Hershey capture the Calder Cup with 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 16 playoff games.

In 161 AHL games, Frank has accumulated 125 points (80 goals, 45 assists). He has been named to the AHL All-Star Classic every year of his career with the Bears.

Originally signed by Hershey to an AHL contract for the 2022-23 season after completing his college career at Western Michigan University, Frank signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Capitals for the 2023-24 season. He was also an assistant captain for Western Michigan in 2021-22, leading the NCAA in goals (26) and finishing with 39 points (26 goals, 13 assists) in 38 games. Frank earned First All-Star Team honors in the NCHC and was named to the NCAA (West) Second All-American Team. Over five seasons at Western Michigan, he recorded 118 points (70 goals, 48 assists) in 158 career games.

Miroshnichenko, 20, has totaled 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 18 games with the Capitals this season. In 16 games with Hershey, the 6’1″, 200-pound forward has recorded 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists).

Miroshnichenko appeared in 21 games for the Capitals last season, registering 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists). Washington’s first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, Miroshnichenko made his NHL debut on Dec. 20, 2023, against the New York Islanders and played in his first Stanley Cup Playoff game on April 26, 2024, against the New York Rangers, becoming the first member of his draft class to appear in a playoff game. In 47 regular-season games with Hershey, Miroshnichenko led Bears rookies in points (25), assists (16), power-play goals (2), points-per-game (0.53), and plus-minus (+15). He also posted 12 points (7 goals, 5 assists) in 20 playoff games, contributing to Hershey’s Calder Cup run.