Iorio Gaining Valuable Experience in Washington and Hershey

The Washington Capitals have a lot of skill at the defensive positions. They have John Carlson, Martin Fehervary, Rasmus Sandin, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Ethan Bear, and Alexander Alexeyev all returning to the team from last season. Former general manager Brian MacLellan also brought in Jakob Chychrun in a trade with the Ottawa Senators and signed Matt Roy to a six-year contract as a free agent. Fans have a lot to look forward to on the blueline come 2024-25. Also increasing their organizational depth is Vincent Iorio, who was the franchise’s second-round draft choice in 2021. The 21-year-old has appeared in parts of two campaigns with the Capitals, accumulating in nine total NHL games. However, that time being around other talents like Carlson and Sandin, mixed with the importance of his journey in the AHL with the Hershey Bears, will potentially grow Iorio into someone who can log substantial minutes on the ice for Washington. He has already achieved some nice milestones in his early career.

Winning Calder Cups

Iorio was Washington’s first selection of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. This was because the Capitals had dealt their first-round pick to the Detroit Red Wings in a package that also included Jakub Vrana, Richard Panik, and a second rounder in 2022 for Anthony Mantha.

Iorio had previously suited up in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Brandon Wheat Kings. In four seasons with the club, he posted the following numbers:

• 2018-19: one goal and four assists for five points in 50 games
• 2019-20: four goals and 17 assists for 21 points in 59 games
• 2020-21: five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 22 games

Additionally, Iorio also appeared in six postseason WHL games for 2021-22. In that span, he put up a goal and an assist. Those WHL playoff games for the Wheat Kings were just a taste of what was to come though for the young defenseman.

Iorio joined the Hershey Bears for the 2022-23 campaign. Some of his new teammates from that lineup that season included Connor McMichael, Hendrix Lapierre, Michael Sgarbossa, and Joe Snively among others. In 63 regular season games, Iorio netted two goals and provided 20 assists for 22 points. That put him second in scoring from defensemen, only behind Bobby Nardella, who had 28 points. The Bears finished with a record of 44-19-9 and went on to play in the 2023 Calder Cup playoffs.

(Mike Zitek/Coachella Valley Firebirds)

While Iorio may not have racked up point production in the 2023 postseason, he was a significant contributor on the backend. He suited up in 15 playoff games for Hershey and tallied a goal and four assists. The Bears defeated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in seven games to win the Calder Cup, and Iorio received some championship experience under his belt.

The success for Iorio in Hershey continued this past season as well, as he and the franchise won their second straight Calder Cup, also beating the Firebirds to win the championship. Unlike the first time around, Iorio did not register a single point in the eight postseason games he was a part of.

Playing NHL Games

As mentioned earlier, Iorio has gotten multiple opportunities to play NHL games with Washington. He made his debut with the club during the 2022-23 season. He suited up for three games and got his first point in the league with an assist in his first game on an Alex Ovechkin goal. He then played in six games for Washington in 2023-24 and went pointless in all those games.

Vincent Iorio

It may only be nine games in the league so far, but being able to share a locker room with some experienced teammates like Carlson and Ovechkin makes a huge difference. He sees through their hard work both on and off the ice what it takes to not only survive in the NHL but thrive. The knowledge gained from being in an NHL team’s locker room even a short time can go a long way.

Opportunities in the Future

While there is a lot of competition for only a select number of defensemen slots for the Capitals in 2024-25, Iorio’s future is bright with the team. Carlson and van Riemsdyk’s contracts will be up in 2026 as things stand right now, while Chychrun and Bear are only signed for this upcoming campaign. There is a chance new GM Chris Patrick will want to bring at least a name or two back from that list. There will be potential openings on the horizon for Iorio. At this point, it is a matter of continuing growth in the AHL. If he gets recalled to the NHL again, how does he look and how many points is he able to rack up? He will be someone to keep an eye on throughout this upcoming hockey season.