The American Hockey League’s penalty minute leader found himself in a National Hockey League dressing room Monday.

The Washington Capitals signed Hershey Bears forward Joel Rechlicz to an entry-level contract and recalled him from their AHL affiliate.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound right wing had 12 fighting majors and 184 penalty minutes in 27 games with the Bears this season.

Rechlicz has not spent any time in the NHL since the 2009-10 season, when he played six games for the New York Islanders. The season before he saw action in 17 games on Long Island.

In 23 NHL games, Rechlicz has one assist and 95 penalty minutes. He spent last season and all of this year with the Bears, taking on all comers as the team’s enforcer.

“You learn a lot and mature a lot as a person on the ice and off the ice,” Rechlicz told reporters Monday at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. “I’m only 24 now, but a lot has gone by and I’ve learned a lot (since debuting in the NHL).”

With Alexander Ovechkin serving two more games on his NHL suspension, Washington had a roster spot open, so the Caps opted for Rechlicz.

“A lot of teams have heavyweights and he’s going to add toughness to our team,” Washington head coach Dale Hunter said. “He’s been playing well down there. We’re going on the road, and it’s a game-time decision if he plays, (but) he gives the team some more team toughness.”

The Capitals visit Southeast Division rivals Tampa Bay tonight and Florida on Wednesday.

Rechlicz, who has a goal and an assist for Hershey this season, said he felt comfortable in his new surroundings.

“It’s a good feeling,” Rechlicz said. “All the guys in the room here are really friendly. The guys do a good job making you feel like you’re at home.”

Comings and goings

Rechlicz wasn’t the only current or former Hershey player caught up in roster transactions Monday.

• The Caps also recalled center Cody Eakin from the Bears. The rookie has split time between the NHL and AHL this season. He has four goals and four assists in 27 games with Washington and seven goals and nine assists in 20 games with Hershey.
• Former Bears captain Andrew Joudrey was promoted by the Columbus Blue Jackets to the NHL from the AHL’s Springfield Falcons. Joudrey, who back-to-back Calder Cup titles with Hershey in 2009 and 2010, could make his NHL debut tonight when Columbus plays on the road against the San Jose Sharks. He has seven goals and eight assists in 42 games with the Falcons after spending the last four full seasons playing for the Bears.
• The Bears recalled defenseman Phil Oreskovic and right wing Matt Pope from the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays, where they played three games this past weekend. Both players will rejoin Hershey when practice resumes Thursday after the AHL’s all-star break.