Photo: NHL.com
The Washington Capitals announced on Thursday morning that they have loaned goaltender Pheonix Copley to the AHL’s Hershey Bears, who will open their season against the Binghamton Devils in Newark, New Jersey on Friday.
Copley had been on the Capitals’ taxi squad before Thursday’s move. He’s played 114 games over parts of four seasons with Hershey.
With the free-agent signing of Craig Anderson last month, the Capitals have the minimum three goalies that are required to be carried on the NHL roster all season long. Ilya Samsonov remains on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
Copley went 17-8-6 with a .905 save percentage, a 2.47 goals-against average, and two shutouts with the Bears last season. While serving as Braden Holtby’s back-up with the Capitals during the 2018-19 season, Copley posted a 16-7-3 record, a .905 save percentage, a 2.90 goals-against average, and one shutout.
The Capitals visit the New York Rangers on Thursday night (7 PM ET, NHL Network nationally, NBC Sports Washington locally).
By Harrison Brown