Ness, 27, recorded an assist in eight games with Washington in 2017-18. The 5'10", 184-pound defenseman has been apart of the organization for three seasons, making his Capitals debut on Jan. 2, 2016 at Columbus and earned his first Capitals point with an assist on Jan. 5, 2016 at Boston. Ness has registered six points (1g, 5a) in 47 career NHL games with the New York Islanders and Washington.

Ness earned 29 points (4g, 29a) in 62 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season, setting a new single-season high in assists and points since joining Hershey in 2015. The Roseau, Minn., native ranked first among Bears defensemen in points and assists, third in goals and fourth in games played. Ness recorded six multi-point games in 2017-18, including two-straight two point performances (4a) from Dec. 16 through Dec. 20. In addition, he posted plus/minus of +2 or better in eight games this season. Ness has registered 196 points (38g, 158a) in 448 career AHL games with Bridgeport and Hershey.

During the Bears' 2016 Calder Cup Final run, Ness earned 12 assists in 21 playoff games. He led the AHL in assists during the playoffs and ranked third among AHL defensemen in points. Ness has earned 13 assists in 33 career AHL playoff games.