Limoges ready for new hockey chapter in Europe

It was another successful American Hockey League season for Alex Limoges.

But now, the Winchester native and former Penn State University star will have to show what he's made of overseas to get another chance at reaching his dream of playing regular-season games in the National Hockey League.

On July 31, Limoges signed a one-year deal with HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Located in Belarus, Dinamo Minsk is one of just three teams in the 23-team KHL that is not based in Russia.

The 27-year-old forward recently completed his fifth season in the AHL and second with the Hershey Bears, an affiliate of the Washington Capitals in Pennsylvania.

The forward recorded 44 points in 53 games (Hershey played 72 total games) to rank second on the team in points, helped the Bears place first in the Atlantic Division with 96 points, and was selected to the AHL All-Star Challenge.

In 2023-24, Limoges was also second on the team in points (51 on 24 goals and 27 assists) while helping Hershey repeat as Calder Cup champions.

Last summer, Limoges was a restricted free agent and signed a one-year, two-way contract with Washington after he was extended a qualifying offer.

This year, Limoges was an unrestricted free agent, but didn't receive any interest from NHL/AHL teams.

Limoges said while he enjoyed his time in Hershey, returning to the Capitals/Bears might not have been a great fit in 2025-26.

"I had a great experience in Hershey," Limoges said.

"Being close to my family, my fiance could come visit all the time, so it worked out great for me.

"[For 2025-26] I was also looking for a bit more opportunity.

I knew [the Caps organization] had a lot of high-end prospects coming in, so I thought I would get lost in the fold there.

The whole thing I've been saying throughout this whole process is I want a chance in the NHL.

I thought heading into free agency, there were going to be more options." In going overseas to play in the KHL, Limoges will be doing the next best thing to playing for the NHL or AHL.

"I wanted to go somewhere that would give me the best chance to play in North America [in 2026-27]," Limoges said.

"The KHL is the second-best league in the world.

They play to win, and I feel it's going to make me better, playing in those meaningful games.

Hopefully, I'll be playing a lot, and doing well." Limoges was pleased with his statistics with the Bears and, for the most part, pleased with a season that ended in the Atlantic Division finals (the AHL quarterfinal round) with a 3-0 series loss to the Charlotte Checkers.

The season might have been better if he were healthier.

He missed eight games between Dec.

7 and Jan.

4 with a rib injury, the second straight season he missed a significant period because of that rib.

He then suffered a broken hand in the first game after competing in the All-Star Challenge on Feb.

8.

Though he missed a couple of games in February, he played through the injury.

Limoges didn't get a chance to rest his hand until he suffered a concussion in March he sat out five games between March 15 and 29 as a result of that injury.

Limoges' injuries were part of a season in which the Bears dealt with more adversity than 2023-24.

Their 96 points were 15 fewer than they had last year.

"We had ups and downs, little slumps here and there," Limoges said.

"The year that we won it all, everything just came easy to us, it seemed." Limoges said it meant a lot to compete in the All-Star Challenge hosted in California by Coachella Valley, the team Hershey beat in the last two Calder Cup Finals.

Only 12 players from the eight-team Atlantic Division were selected for the event in which the AHL's four divisions compete in a 3-on-3, round-robon tournament.

Limoges was an injury replacement for Hershey teammate Ethen Frank.

"I feel like I belonged there," said Limoges, who had 25 points in 30 games when he was selected.

"It was a very cool experience.

It was fun to go back to Coachella Valley and play the villain role, and get booed, and meet a lot of the other top guys around the league.

Get to know them, see how they prepare.

How they put on [the event] is very professional.

I had a great experience.

I really enjoyed it." With the Capitals playing at a high level (their 111 points were the most in the Eastern Conference) and having good health in 2024-25, the prospects of Washington calling on its prospects to help weren't as high as they were in 2023-24, when the Caps struggled.

"You just have to stay ready and control what you can control," Limoges said.

"It's frustrating at times [not getting called up to play in the NHL], but there's nothing I could do about it.

I just had to keep working hard and show them why I should be the next man up." Limoges has former Hershey Bears teammates on Dinamo who have told him good things about the organization.

Dinamo placed fourth in the Western Conference last year and advanced to the conference semifinals.

"They get great fans every night and [the players are] treated well," said Limoges, who will continue to work on speed and quickness with Dinamo.

"They saw me in a good role, where I play a lot, and develop, and play in different situations.

I saw how well they did last year, and they've got a lot of guys returning, so I think I can help them go to another level." European rinks are 13.5 feet wider than the rinks used in the NHL, which typically results in more reliance on tactical play rather than speed and physicality during the course of play.

Limoges said he's interested in playing European-style hockey.

"I want to see how the game is played over there, and try to learn a couple aspects, and see the game through their eyes," Limoges said.

"I just want to see what the game is like, and go at it with an open mind.".

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