Minas Panagiotakis/NHLI via Getty Images
Earlier in the 2021-22 regular season, Washington Capitals forward Joe Snively became the first Virginia native to suit up in a game for the team. On February 10, 2022 against the Montreal Canadiens, Snively notched his first career goal against the Habs and in doing so, joined a select few in the NHL history books.
Over the course of the NHL’s history, there have been just seven players born in the Commonwealth of Virginia, with six of them skaters (2 F, 4 D – including Zac Jones, a 2019 draft pick and blueliner for the New York Rangers this season) and one goaltender (Scott Darling). By scoring his first career goal in the first period in Montreal, Snively became just the third player born in Virginia to score a goal in the NHL. He added his second career goal during the second period.
First NHL goal for Joe Snively 👏
DYK? Snively trained at MedStar Capitals Iceplex during his youth and was a participant in Washington’s Little Caps program. #NHLStats: https://t.co/dmeIZMk8Ms pic.twitter.com/3XvoVUA7Wi
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 11, 2022
The other two players to have scored, defensemen Eric Weinrich and Scott LaChance, last played an NHL game in 2006 and 2004, respectively.
Weinrich played a total of 1,157 games over parts of 17 NHL seasons with eight teams (New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Vancouver Canucks), recording 70 goals and 388 Points.
NJ.com
LaChance played 819 career games in the NHL after being selected fourth overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders, recording 31 goals and 143 Points over 13 seasons with the Islanders (eight seasons), Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets. 
Al Bello/ALLSPORT
Snively played for the Little Capitals youth hockey team during his childhood and practiced and trained at the Capitals’ practice facility (then-Kettler now MedStar Capitals Iceplex). Signed as an undrafted free agent by the team in March 2019 after a standout career at Yale, and re-signed him to a one-year deal last summer. In 6 six career NHL games (all coming this season), the Herndon, Virginia native has two goals and two assists.
have yourself a night, 9️⃣1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/rVb9x1dAKG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 11, 2022
The full list and statistics for the Virginia-born players can be found HERE.
By Michael Fleetwood
More Reading on Joe Snively:
Joe Snively: 2021 Annual Review and Forecast
5-Year Development Projections for Washington Capitals Prospects
“Absolutely, I Love the Caps”: Joe Snively is Coming Home
Washington Capitals Prospect Review and Forecast – Joe Snively
Joe Snipely!
This is a player that they really need to resign for several years asap! I would also like to se Gerisch and Pino get a shot at some playing time the rest of the season. Lets be realistic, even if Oshie and Mantha come back this team is not a Cup team. Oshie is showing the he is now injury prone playing a position the his body can no longer pay the bill for without breaking down and Mantha is an unproven piece. I truly would hate to see them trade for a goalie as they are either going to have to give up young players or picks and this years draft is suppose to be very deep. Is anyone really going to take Sbhultz andhis $4 million even if it is expiring at the end of the year? Is anyone really going to take Hagelin and his $2.75 for next year? Are they going to take them without the caps having to take bad salary in return? Isanyone going to take Kempny and his $2.5 even if it expires after this year coming off an injury and not much playing time in the NHL?
Agree with all your points, Steven. 👊