The Washington Capitals announced on Friday morning that they have recalled goaltender Zach Fucale from Hershey. No official news regarding the status of Vitek Vanecek or Ilya Samsonov was released by the team at the time of this report.

Fucale, 26, became the first goaltender in franchise history to record a shutout in his NHL debut when he stopped all 21 shots against the Detroit Red Wings on Nov. 11 at Little Caesars Arena.

In seven games with the Bears this season, Fucale posted a record of 4-1-2 with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .898 save percentage.

NEWS | The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Zach Fucale from the Hershey Bears.#ALLCAPS | @FTX_Official https://t.co/yOYmsxOyUw

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 10, 2021

Fucale stopped 20 of 23 shots face for a .869 game save percentage in his last start on November 24 against the Providence Bruins. He gave up seven goals on 21 shots faced in his first start after returning from Washington on November 20.

During the 2020-21 season, the Laval, Quebec, native led the AHL in goals-against average (1.80) and ranked second in save percentage (.932), establishing career highs in both categories.

The 6’2”, 189-pound goaltender played the most games (11) he has played at the AHL level since the 2017-18 season, posting a 9-2-0 record. Fucale’s nine wins were tied for eighth in the AHL, while his two losses were the fewest among goaltenders with at least 660 minutes played.

Fucale and Pheonix Copley received the AHL’s Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, presented to the goaltenders on the team which allows the fewest goals per game in the regular season.

By Jon Sorensen