FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 24, 2009

Capitals Recall Daren Machesney, Steve Pinizzotto from Hershey, Assign Simeon Varlamov

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Daren Machesney and forward Steve Pinizzotto from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Hershey Bears and assigned goaltender Simeon Varlamov to Hershey, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

Machesney, 22, is a third-year pro who stands 6’1”, 185 pounds. He has played in 33 games for Hershey this year and has a 19-9-1 record. He served as Washington’s backup goalie for one game this season and was Washington’s backup for three games during the 2006-07 season. He has not seen any NHL action. The Hamilton, Ontario, native was the Capitals’ fifth-round choice, 143rd overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He recently represented Canada at the 2008 Spengler Cup and led his country to the championship game.

Pinizzotto, 24, is a second-year pro who has spent time with both Hershey and the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) this season. He has 11 points (4g-7a) in 38 games with Hershey and recorded 10 points (4g-6a) in 11 games with South Carolina. The 6’1”, 200 pound Mississauga, Ontario, native signed with the Capitals as a free agent on March 16, 2007. He tallied 32 points (15g-17a) in 40 games with South Carolina last season and dished out four assists in 23 games with Hershey. Pinizzotto, No. 90 with Washington, is available to make his NHL debut tonight at Toronto.

Varlamov returns to Hershey after appearing in two games with Washington. He is a perfect 3-0-0 with the Capitals and is the first Caps goalie to win his first three NHL starts since Jim Carey. Varlamov has stopped 92 of 98 shots (.939 save percentage) at the NHL level and has a 1.74 goals against average after playing in four games. The 20-year-old rookie has an 18-6-1 record in 25 games for Hershey this season.