Capitals Sign Hendricks

  The Washington Capitals announced Monday that they have signed unrestricted free-agent Matt Hendricks to a one-year contract worth $575,000.

  Hendricks, 29, played his first full season with the Colorado Avalanche after making his debut the year before in just 4 games. In 56 games for the Avalanche last year he tallied 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points with a +1 rating and 74 penalty minutes.

  The 6’0 215lbs. Blaine, Minnesota native was invited to training camp by the Washington Capitals September 15th, 2009, and scored a hat trick in the team’s season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets last Wednesday in a 6-2 win for the Caps.

  Hendricks was drafted in 2000 in the 5th round (131st overall) by the Nashville Predators and started his pro career for the Florida Everblades of the ECHL scoring 24 goals and 50 points. He played the next five seasons for five different AHL teams (Lowell, Rochester, Hershey, Providence, and Lake Erie) where he totaled 68 goals and 87 assists for 155 points in 247 AHL games.

  A bit of a late bloomer, Hendricks becomes one of the ‘feel good’ stories should he stay on with the team at the start of the season as he has put in his time in the minors.  He played for head coach Bruce Boudreau for the Hershey Bears (AHL) in 2005-06 where he recorded 18 goals and 26 assists for 44 points in 65 regular season games.

  Hendricks undoubtedly gained the respect and notice of Boudreau then, but has gained this contract for nothing short of hard work.

- Kendall Grubbs