Hendricks turns tryout into deal with Caps

The Washington Capitals, parent club of the AHL’s Hershey Bears, on Monday signed forward Matt Hendricks to a one-year, two-way contract.

Hendricks, who totaled nine goals, 16 points and 74 penalty minutes in 56 NHL games for Colorado last season, was attending Washington’s training camp on a tryout. He recorded a hat trick in Washington’s 6-2 preseason win over Columbus on Sept. 22.

Hendricks played for Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau in the AHL as a member of the Hershey Bears in 2006-07, recording 18 goals and 44 points in 65 games. Hendricks also appeared in 19 playoff games that season, finishing with eight goals and 12 points as the Bears reached the Calder Cup Finals.

Hendricks has played 247 career AHL games with Lake Erie, Providence, Hershey, Rochester, Lowell and Milwaukee, totaling 68 goals and 87 assists for 155 points. He made his NHL debut with Colorado in 2008-09, appearing in four games.

Hendricks was originally drafted by Nashville in the fifth round of the 2000 Entry Draft.