Photo: NHL.com

The Capitals recalled goaltender Pheonix Copley from the AHL’s Hershey Bears, the team announced today. 

Copley, 26, has a 14-16-6 record with two shutouts, a 2.86 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage in 38 games with Hershey this season.

Last season, he had a 26-11-3 record with one shutout, a 2.25 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in 41 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves and Hershey Bears in 2016-17.

The Capitals acquired Copley at last year’s trade deadline in the Kevin Shattenkirk trade with the Blues to have a backup goaltender in case the Vegas Golden Knights selected Philipp Grubauer in the expansion draft in June. Instead, the Golden Knights elected to pick 26-year old defenseman Nate Schmidt from the Capitals.

Grubauer was arguably the best backup goalie in 2016-17, posting a 19-13-6 record with a save percentage of .926 and a goals-against average of 2.04.

Grubauer can become a restricted free agent July 1 and signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Capitals on July 6.

The Capitals resigned Copley to a two-year, two-way contract on June 30. He could have become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

Capitals’ coach Barry Trotz told reporters that goaltender Braden Holtby “tweaked something” after colliding with Dallas Stars forward Remy Elie in Washington’s 4-3 win over Dallas on Tuesday night during the Capitals’ morning skate prior to their game against the Detroit Red Wings at 7:30 on Thursday night at Little Caeser’s Arena. Following the hit, Holtby was slow to get up and seemed to be flexing his leg.

Is Braden Holtby hurt?

Trotz: “Yeah, he just tweaked something. We’re just trying to make sure he’s OK. He’s doing fine. You saw, he was moving around fine and took the majority of the shots. Didn’t want Stretch in the net.”

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 22, 2018

The Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan reported that Holtby did everything Grubauer did at the Capitals’ morning skate but would occasionally skate over to the bench and chat with the trainer.

The Caps have recalled goaltender Pheonix Copley. As reported this morning, Braden Holtby is not 100 percent. “Tweaked something,” Trotz said. Grubauer starting tonight.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 22, 2018

Bears’ reporter Zack Ficsh reported that Copley did not practice with the Bears yesterday.

Copley did not practice with the Bears yesterday as he headed to join the Capitals, so I imagine he’s in Detroit by now. Goaltending coach Alex Westlund took over duties in net at @TheHersheyBears practice yesterday alongside Vitek. #HBH https://t.co/dSPfIUTiX9

— Zack Fisch (@zackfisch) March 22, 2018

Philipp Grubauer is expected to start on Thursday in Detroit so the Capitals are probably being cautious with Holtby’s health. Copley will back up Grubauer, according to Khurshudyan.

Pheonix Copley will be the backup goalie tonight. Grubauer starting.

— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) March 22, 2018

The Capitals begin a three-game road trip in Detroit. Following Thursday night’s game, the Capitals play the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Saturday and the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

By Harrison Brown