Henrik Rybinski, a promising prospect for the Washington Capitals, is preparing to make an impact during the 2025-26 NHL season as the team faces several open roster spots. The Vancouver native has steadily grown into a standout two-way centerman in the American Hockey League, bringing defensive reliability and offensive skill to his game. His recent first NHL call-up marked a significant milestone in his career, fueling his determination to solidify a permanent NHL position.
Rybinski’s Development and Role with Hershey Bears
Originally drafted by the Florida Panthers in the fifth round of the 2019 NHL Draft, Rybinski was later signed by the Washington Capitals as an unrestricted free agent in March 2022. Since his rookie season with the Hershey Bears in 2022-23, he has quietly elevated his game, emerging as one of the organization’s most reliable two-way centers not yet in the NHL. His role has been pivotal in Hershey’s back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024.
During the Bears’ successful 2024 postseason, Rybinski served as the fourth-line center alongside Bogdan Trineyev and Matt Strome. The trio’s primary responsibility was to neutralize opposing teams’ top offensive lines, a task they executed effectively. Rybinski contributed nine points in 19 playoff games, including five goals, tying for sixth on the Bears in postseason scoring. His defensive acumen and commitment made the line a key factor in Hershey’s championship repeat.
Impressing Capitals’ Staff and Earning NHL Consideration
After winning the Calder Cup, Rybinski participated in the Capitals’ 2024 training camp, where he caught the attention of head coach Spencer Carbery. Although he was one of the final roster cuts, Carbery praised Rybinski’s progress and suggested that he could soon earn NHL ice time.
“I think he’s been one of the big surprises of someone that wasn’t necessarily on our radar to make the Washington Capitals,”
Carbery said.
“We’ve followed him and what he’s done in Hershey, becoming a bigger part of their Calder Cup-winning team last year. So, coming into camp, you know, you’ve watched him a little bit in the American League, seen him, and now he really impressed our staff.”
—Spencer Carbery, Capitals Head Coach
“I know management feels the same way. That’s why he’s earned the opportunity… I thought he’s done a tremendous job of excelling in the games that he’s played in, and he’s been good in the practices. Feels like he’s trending [up] in our organization.”
—Spencer Carbery, Capitals Head Coach
Rybinski’s determination and consistent performance earned him a career milestone in December of the previous season when he was called up to the NHL for the first time. The promotion came after an injury to veteran center Lars Eller, presenting Rybinski with an opportunity to demonstrate his readiness for the big league.
Henrik Rybinski Reflects on His NHL Call-Up Experience
Although Rybinski did not make his NHL debut during his brief time with the Capitals, the experience left a lasting impression. His promotion, which lasted only three days, came with emotions and valuable insights into the level of play required in the NHL. Former Bears head coach Todd Nelson informed Rybinski of the call-up, enhancing the significance of the moment.
“I’ve been playing since I was six, and you dream of coming up here and just being around here,”
Rybinski recalled.
“All the hard work, and then you think of all the doubts you had of would you ever get this opportunity. That’s kind of what made it feel really special.”
—Henrik Rybinski, Capitals Prospect
This short NHL stint boosted his confidence, which reflected in his subsequent performance during the AHL season. Rybinski achieved personal bests with 10 goals, 25 assists, and 35 points, along with a plus-minus rating of +11, highlighting his all-around game. These numbers solidified his value as both an offensive threat and a responsible defensive player.
Contract Extension and Future Goals for the 2025-26 Season
Following his impressive campaign, Rybinski secured a one-year, two-way contract extension with the Capitals. The deal guarantees a salary of $775,000 at the NHL level and $130,000 in the AHL. At 24 years old, he aims to take the next step by making his NHL debut in the upcoming season and establishing himself as a consistent contributor for Washington.
A Conversation with Henrik Rybinski: Insights into His Journey and Ambitions
In a detailed interview conducted during Hershey Bears’ Breakdown Day in May, Rybinski opened up about his development, mindset, and what motivates him as he chases his NHL dream.
On his breakout season and confidence:
“Yeah, I was just really happy with how it went. I think the reason why I had success is I felt like I put in the work. But I think just playing that playoff run last year, doing well, kind of gave me the confidence going into the year. And then I just started off strong in training camp, and it just kind of continued throughout the whole year. Yeah, I still had ups and downs, I’d say, throughout the year, but overall, it was a really successful year for me, and I’m pretty proud of that.”
On overcoming challenges:
“I think just like when things aren’t going well, it’s just like it sucks, and then just when you get out of it, it just feels that much better because you know how hard it was and then you kind of find your game again. And I think, yeah, that was probably the biggest thing for me. Just when it got down, I didn’t just give in, let it affect me. Yeah, it did, and it did take time, but I think I did a good job of not letting it linger as long and getting out of it sooner.”
Reflecting on the Calder Cup victories:
“Yeah, it was just special. I didn’t play the first year. And I’ve said this to other guys, but for me, it was just kind of the whole mindset was proving to myself and my teammates that I could help a team win a championship. And so that was motivation.”
Lessons learned while sitting out:
“Yeah, I think you’re just around the room. You see how playoff hockey is, how to play in those tight moments. Like, you watch. I think one thing I notice is sometimes when teams have leads, they kind of tighten up and they stop playing, and usually they get scored on. But you just got to keep playing. You can’t think about what happens if I do this. You have to just play hockey. And I think from watching, that’s one thing I kind of gathered.”
Building a Strong Two-Way Game and Role Models
Rybinski credits his strong defensive style to lessons instilled by his parents and his own approach throughout his hockey upbringing. He has embraced a balance between offense and defense as a core part of his identity on the ice.
“I just think over the years, I’ve kind of always, yeah, I just think my parents and stuff always told me, you’ve got to play as hard on the defensive side as the offensive side. It’s just kind of been my identity. Like, in junior, I felt like I was a good two-way player. And then, I kind of started off here as a defensive role. I’m trying to work on my offensive game, but not trying to cheat the game. I’m trying to still be solid defensively. So, yeah, I think it’s just over the years and just kind of my identity as a player.”
Rooming with teammate Hendrix has also influenced Rybinski’s play. Hendrix, a notably talented offensive center, has taught him the importance of maintaining speed and constant puck movement to avoid pressure from defenders.
“Yeah, I mean, like, obviously, he’s an incredible player, and I’m happy that he’s one of my best buddies, but, yeah, like, I don’t know. I think from watching him, I just realized that you’ve got to always be skating with the puck offensively. Like, if you stop skating, that’s when guys close in. And he’s so good at weaving through guys or moving his feet, or they dump it in, and he’ll break guys’ ankles and stuff. So, obviously, I’m not as fast as him. I wish I was. But just always moving your feet, not making it easy for the other team to check you.”
Rybinski also praised Hendrix’s exceptional skills on small ice, highlighting his edge work and ability to carry the puck with his head up.
“Yeah, I mean, like, his edge work, it’s just not only the edge work, like, some guys are really fast, but he can carry the puck head up while, using all his edge work, and he’s incredible to watch, and he’s a really special player.”
Admiring Perseverance Among Teammates
When Hendrix was sent back down from the Capitals midseason, Rybinski admired his resilience and positive outlook, qualities he believes are crucial for success at the highest level.
“Yeah, in my eyes, he’s an everyday NHL player. Obviously, Washington was an incredible team this year, first in the league. I think it’s just like what I was talking about earlier with adversity. You can kind of let it affect you. I think he just came in with the right mentality. I think it’s so easy to be in the NHL, and then you get sent down, you’re like, ‘Oh, like, what am I doing here? Screw this.’ But he had a great attitude, and he came to the rink every day and had a smile on his face. And that can be really hard to do, honestly. So he was just really positive. And, yeah, I’m just really proud of him for that.”
Recognition from Capitals Coach and Experience in the NHL Environment
Rybinski emphasized how much it meant to hear praise from Spencer Carbery, the Capitals head coach and a candidate for the Jack Adams Award, for his two-way reliability and playmaking abilities.
“I mean, yeah, it just feels – it’s so rewarding and it makes you feel really good about yourself. But, yeah, I mean, he’s an incredible coach. But, yeah, just for him to say stuff like that, it means a lot.”
His brief time at the NHL level allowed Rybinski to get a firsthand look at the league’s lifestyle and camaraderie among players. He recalled the welcoming atmosphere and the unique experiences of NHL travel and facilities.
“Yeah, I mean, it was just super cool. It’s just the NHL, you kind of work your whole way to get up there. Obviously, I didn’t play, so I would have loved to play, but it was still unbelievable to go there and just see what the lifestyle was like. The guys were really nice and stuff, so it was just really cool. It was just a really cool moment.”
One moment that stood out was the NHL team’s accommodation, which differed greatly from his usual AHL routine.
“I just remember the hotel. It was like a DoubleTree, and it was five-star. I got my own room. It was sick. Instead of the plastic water bottles, they had glass ones. I was like, ‘Wow.’ It’s not really anything, but it was just different. It was really cool. Just the NHL.”
Rybinski also noticed the strong bond within the Capitals’ locker room, describing a team atmosphere filled with laughter and genuine friendship.
“Yeah, it just seemed like they were always having fun. They were always making jokes or playing cards. It just seemed like they were really having fun. I wasn’t there long, but I could definitely see that.”
Witnessing History: Skating Alongside Alex Ovechkin
During his time with the Capitals, Rybinski witnessed one of hockey’s greatest moments as Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL all-time goals record. The experience of skating near an iconic figure left a profound impression.
“I mean, it’s the greatest goal scorer of all time. Like, it’s just truly incredible that, I mean, I would have thought Wayne’s record was, I guess it’s not his record anymore, but it was untouchable. And the fact he did it in this modern era is truly incredible. It’s just so cool.”
Meeting Ovechkin in person also revealed the superstar’s down-to-earth and approachable personality, defying the larger-than-life reputation.
“I just think it’s like you’re there and you’re skating and then you look down the bench and you see him like, ‘Holy crap.’ You’re out there with him: ‘This is the best goal scorer ever.’ So it’s just little moments like that. You grew up watching him on TV. I remember him and (Sidney) Crosby, playoffs. I’d watch it and stuff. I think it’s just those little moments when you’re just around him, and it’s like, ‘Wow, this is a super normal dude.’ Yeah, and you’re skating with him.”
Offseason Goals and Areas for Improvement
Looking ahead, Rybinski plans to focus on physical and technical development in the offseason, aiming to enhance his speed, strength, and puck management against physical opponents.
“Obviously, I think I need to get stronger and faster. I mean, that’s pretty cliche with everyone. That’s what they say. But, yeah, like stronger and faster. Maybe work on protecting the puck down low. I think just sometimes, for me at least, against a physical team, maybe I get pushed off too easy. So I feel like working on protecting the puck would be huge. So, yeah, that would be kind of a main thing.”
He draws inspiration by studying various NHL talents to integrate their strengths into his own game.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel like for me it’s not just one player. You look at different skills and guys. So you look at how smart Nick Suzuki is, like obviously Ovi’s shot and stuff, or like the Matthews release, whatever release he does. So there’s just like a lot of guys to look at, and it’s always changing, too. Last offseason, I looked at [Zach] Hyman and how he protects the puck. Obviously, I still need to work on that, but just how he hounds pucks and uses his stick in a certain way, and his body. So, yeah, there’s a lot of guys, and I’m sure during the offseason, I’ll look at some more video on what other guys do.”
Insights on Hershey’s Young Talent and Team Leadership
Rybinski recognizes the growing young core within the Capitals organization, including players like Andrew Cristall and Ilya Protas, whom he sees making substantial improvements with every practice.
“I think, obviously, they’re super talented, great players, but I think every time I step on the ice with them, I just see them improving. I think that’s the best thing you can always do is just keep getting better. I think every time I’m like, ‘Okay, maybe this didn’t work last time for them,’ and then now they’re able to do it, so I think just for them, they’re always improving. Obviously, Pro, I think he’s still growing. I think he got bigger somehow. They’re always improving, and they’re students of the game. I think that’s why they’re getting better.”
If he starts the next season back with Hershey, Rybinski aims to embrace a greater leadership role by setting a consistent example on the ice.
“I think I just want to be more of a leader. I’m not like a vocal guy really in the locker room, but I think I just want to be a leader in terms of how I play every single night. Just being consistent. I want to try to be a rock for the team. And that’s hard to do every night. And I think that would be my goal.”
He cites veteran teammates such as Aaron Ness and Sgarbossa as role models, appreciating their dedication and work ethic.
“I think there’s a lot of guys like, obviously, Nesser (Aaron Ness), he’s been doing it for so long. I’ll say Sgarbossa also, like just the way he attacks every day in practice. He’s always on the ice before goalie ice and stuff, but he’s always working on his craft. But, no, there’s a lot of guys, and we have a veteran-heavy team. You can always pick up something from someone and just try to keep getting better every day.”
Training and Summer Preparation
During the offseason, Rybinski returns to his hometown of Vancouver, where he frequently trains alongside friends and other professional players.
“I’m from Vancouver, so I’m pretty close to Vinny (Vincent Iorio). So, I’ve trained with Ian Gallagher, so that’s Brendan Gallagher’s dad. It’s in Delta, so I think Beck Malenstyn was there and stuff, so I’ve trained with them like the past four or five years, so I’ll probably go back there.”
Looking Forward to Greater Challenges
Henrik Rybinski’s NHL call-up experience has deepened his resolve to advance his career at hockey’s highest level. His strong work ethic, attention to both offensive and defensive responsibilities, and respect for leadership within the Capitals and Hershey Bears organizations position him well to contend for a roster spot in the near future. With continued physical development and mentorship from experienced teammates, Rybinski is poised to contribute meaningfully to Washington’s success and build on the foundation of his Calder Cup-winning achievements.
Our Reader’s Queries
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A. Alexander Ovechkin, who leads the Washington Capitals, often loses teeth, but he never gets them repaired.