The Washington Capitals and Hershey Bears announced today that the organization has come to terms with center Keith Aucoin on a new two-year, two-way NHL contract through the 2011-12 season.
Aucoin, 31, currently leads the American Hockey League in scoring with 84 points, and won his first Calder Cup last season for Hershey. His 31 goals this season are a new career-high, after finishing second in the AHL scoring race to teammate Alexandre Giroux in 2008-09. Aucoin has also played in 21 games for the Washington Capitals over the last two seasons, scoring three goals and assisting on eight others. In all, Aucoin has 74 games of NHL experience between Washington and the Carolina Hurricanes.
Originally signing with Washington during the summer of 2008, Aucoin accumulated a career-best 99 points with the Albany River Rats in 2006-07 season, finishing second in the league in scoring that year. He is currently 39th all-time in American Hockey League history in points (613), and 22nd all-time in assists (423). He is tops among all active AHL players in both categories.
“Keith is a dynamic offensive player that makes talented players around him even better,” said Bears president/general manager Doug Yingst. “We are thrilled that he will wear a Hershey uniform for the next two seasons.”
A native of Waltham, Mass., Aucoin has participated in the last five AHL All-Star Classics, serving as team captain in 2008.
