Lepisto (SA-mee LEH-pihs-toh), 23, was recalled this morning from Hershey and practiced with Washington today at Kettler Capitals Iceplex before being assigned.

He has played in 37 games for Hershey this year, posting 29 points (2 goals, 27 assists). Lepisto leads all Hershey defensemen in scoring and ranks 14th among AHL defensemen in points. His +25 rating leads the Bears and ranks second in the league, first among defensemen. Lepisto has an eight-game point-scoring streak with Hershey, recording one goal, 12 assists and a +12 rating in that time. He has seven assists in his last three games.

Lepisto was selected by the Capitals in the third round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, 66th overall. He spent four seasons in the top professional league in Finland before making the move to the United States to play for the Bears.

Capitals Next Five Games

Wed., Feb. 13           at Atlanta Thrashers                  7 p.m.          Comcast SportsNet        Talk Radio 3WT

Fri., Feb. 15              at Florida Panthers                     7:30 p.m.     Comcast SportsNet        Talk Radio 3WT

Sat., Feb. 16              at Tampa Bay Lightning            7:30 p.m.     Comcast SportsNet        Talk Radio 3WT

Wed., Feb. 20           vs. New York Islanders           7 p.m.         Comcast SportsNet      Talk Radio 3WT

Sat., Feb. 23              at Carolina Hurricanes               7 p.m.          Comcast SportsNet        Talk Radio 3WT

Sami Lepisto’s Career Statistics

                                                                                                            Regular Season                                                                                          Playoffs

Year            Team                                 League         GP         G         A       Pts     PIM        +/-   PP   SH GW          S           GP      G     A   Pts PIM

2001-02       Jokerit Jr.                           Finland-Jr.     14          0          5          5          2           -       -       -       -           -               -       -       -       -       -

                    Jokerit U18                        Finland-U18  20          8        14        22        36           -       -       -       -           -              8      4      8    12    12

2002-03       Jokerit Jr.                           Finland-Jr.     36          5        14        19        34           -       -       -       -           -            11      1      5      6      8

2003-04       Suomi U20                        Finland-2         1          0          0          0          0           -       -       -       -           -               -       -       -       -       -

                    Jokerit                                Finland           53          3          4          7        20           -       -       -       -           -              8      0      1      1      4

                    Finland                               WJC                 7          4          4          8        10           -       -       -       -           -               -       -       -       -       -

2004-05       Jokerit                                Finland           55          7        18        25        44           -       -       -       -           -            12      1      7      8    12

2005-06       Jokerit                                Finland           56          8        21        29        68           -       -       -       -           -               -       -       -       -       -

2006-07       Jokerit                                Finland           26          1          9        10        32           -       -       -       -           -            10      2      2      4      4

2007-08       Hershey                             AHL              37          2        27        29        31      +25      0      0      1        61               -       -       -       -       -

World Junior Championship All-Tournament Team (2004) • World Junior Championship Outstanding Defenseman (2004)