An axle assembly comprising: an electric motor module that is operatively connectable to a differential assembly , the electric motor module having a motor housing that receives a rotor that is rotatable about an axis ; a cover that is mounted to an end of the motor housing , wherein the cover receives a planetary gear set that is operatively connected to the rotor , wherein the planetary gear set includes: a planet gear carrier that is rotatable about the axis and that rotatably supports a planet gear that meshes with a planetary ring gear and a sun gear , wherein the planet gear carrier has a first side that faces toward the cover ; a lubricant catching ring that extends around the axis and that is mounted to the first side , wherein the lubricant catching ring defines a lubricant catching ring hole and cooperates with the planet gear carrier to define a chamber that captures lubricant that passes through the lubricant catching ring hole ; and a washer that is axially positioned between an end of the planet gear and the planet gear carrier , the washer defining a washer hole that receives a planet pin , an outside washer surface that faces away from the washer hole , characterized in that the washer has an elliptical groove that extends from the washer hole to the outside washer surface . an electric motor module that is operatively connectable to a differential assembly , the electric motor module having a motor housing that receives a rotor that is rotatable about an axis ; a cover that is mounted to an end of the motor housing , wherein the cover receives a planetary gear set that is operatively connected to the rotor , wherein the planetary gear set includes: a planet gear carrier that is rotatable about the axis and that rotatably supports a planet gear that meshes with a planetary ring gear and a sun gear , wherein the planet gear carrier has a first side that faces toward the cover ; a lubricant catching ring that extends around the axis and that is mounted to the first side , wherein the lubricant catching ring defines a lubricant catching ring hole and cooperates with the planet gear carrier to define a chamber that captures lubricant that passes through the lubricant catching ring hole ; and a washer that is axially positioned between an end of the planet gear and the planet gear carrier , the washer defining a washer hole that receives a planet pin , an outside washer surface that faces away from the washer hole , characterized in that the washer has an elliptical groove that extends from the washer hole to the outside washer surface . a planet gear carrier that is rotatable about the axis and that rotatably supports a planet gear that meshes with a planetary ring gear and a sun gear , wherein the planet gear carrier has a first side that faces toward the cover ; a lubricant catching ring that extends around the axis and that is mounted to the first side , wherein the lubricant catching ring defines a lubricant catching ring hole and cooperates with the planet gear carrier to define a chamber that captures lubricant that passes through the lubricant catching ring hole ; and a washer that is axially positioned between an end of the planet gear and the planet gear carrier , the washer defining a washer hole that receives a planet pin , an outside washer surface that faces away from the washer hole , characterized in that the washer has an elliptical groove that extends from the washer hole to the outside washer surface . <EOS>