The Washington Capitals have claimed left-winger Aaron Volpatti off of waivers from the Vancouver Canucks, who were attempting to send him to the AHL's Chicago Wolves.

Volpatti has one goal and 28 penalty minutes in 16 games with the Canucks this season.

The native of Revelstoke, B.C., ranked second on Vancouver in penalty minutes this season.

The six-foot, 215-pound forward spent four seasons playing for Brown University in the NCAA and was named to the ECAC All-Academic team his first three seasons before being named team captain for his senior season.

Volpatti was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by Vancouver on March 22, 2010.