The Washington Capitals announced on Monday that they have loaned goaltending prospect Clay Stevenson to their ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays.
#Caps loan goaltending prospect Clay Stevenson to the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 31, 2022
The Capitals announced on October 1 that Stevenson would be out 4-6 weeks following surgery to his right hand. The re-assignment signals that Stevenson is nearing his return to the ice.
Goaltender Clay Stevenson underwent a successful surgical procedure to address an injury to his right hand. Stevenson is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 1, 2022
The Capitals inked the undrafted free agent to a two-year entry-level deal for $855,000 average annual value on March 28, 2022. His NHL deal starts this season.
Before signing with the Capitals, Stevenson met with both the Capitals and New York Rangers, while also drawing interest from the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken. Stevenson signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) to join the Hershey Bears for the end of the season, but did not see any game action.
By Jon Sorensen
More on Stevenson:
5 “Other” Prospects To Keep An Eye On As We Enter Preseason Camps
Prospect Forecast: Projecting Where Each Of The Capitals Prospects Will Play This Season
Assessing The Washington Capitals Organizational Depth At Goaltender
Clay Stevenson Debuts New Capitals Bucket
Clay Stevenson: 2022 Annual Review And Forecast
Capitals Current Goaltender Depth Chart And Projected Assignments For 2022-23 Season
Capitals Officially Announce Signing Of Goaltender Clay Stevenson
Give ‘em hell, Clay!
There’s definitely a logjam now at the G position in SC. They just signed J. Brodeur before the season started and now they have 5 goalies. I doubt Stevenson and Bjorklund get much playing time in the ECHL this season. The Caps management need to do something about their Farm Team’s management of prospects this season. Lapierre buried at 3C in Hershey is a big headscratcher. At least B. Hughes and M.H. Has seem to be getting playing time in SC. I wonder how burying two young midrange goalie prospects into 4th and 5th string roles will play in the future. Especially for Stevenson’s development, he’s turning 24 in May and might not even be playing many games. Lets hope that the SC coaching staff does the right thing for its players here.
The Lapierre assignment of 3C leads me to believe the Capitals gave a few directions, but maybe not too many. “Play him at center” and that’s it. The Bears are trying to win games (in addition to developing future Caps) and right now Sgarbossa and Borgstrom are better at the AHL game at center. I’d like to see Lapierre moved to the wing in the top six. Less responsibility, better players, etc. he played left wing all of last season with Acadie Bathurst.
On Oct 120, SC claimed Jeremy Brodeur from Norfolk on waivers. They told him to stay in Norfolk and he met the team while in net for them that night. He won. Riley Morris was his backup.
In their second game, Riley Morris stopped 19 of 20 shots for the 8-1 win. Jeremy Brodeur was backup.
On the 26th, Tyler Wall was added and Riley Morris released without ever losing a game for the Rays. Goals Against Average: 1.00, Save Percentage: 0.950
Brodeur started game 4 but was replaced by Tyler Wall after allowing 2 goals. GAA 4.75, Saves .821, 1 win out of 2 games.
Now, Brodeur has been released as Stevenson is added.
So after 4 games, the Rays have said goodbye to their two starting goalies.
Tyler Wall was great in the third game stopping 21 of 22 and then let 7 in for the fourth game in relief of Brodeur. Not the best stats at present.
I’m looking forward to seeing Clay Stevenson in net. As well as their third goalie, Garin Bjorklund, who has yet to play.
But I’m just amazed at the speed in which the Rays reset their goalies in 4 games.
I watched quite a few Jeremy Brodeur games in recent years. He faced the Bears quite a bit during Covid-shortened season.
Haven’t watched the loss yet but thought he looked quite good in his first game.
Do you know why WordPress is no longer asking me to confirm I want notices of follow up comments and is not telling me? (I asked earlier in a different comment)
There is a logjam at goalie and it is good. Clay has a chance to be the man when he goes down. I don’t know what is up with Bjorklund but they want him playing as well. Rest is window dressing.
Unless it’s you that is that window dressing. You win your game, have fantastic stats, leave to cheers from the fans, and then get fired because the Caps sent down a player. And you think back to Vee and Sammy and reflect on how long they survived with their performance.
Not everyone can get a trophy. This is two leagues below the NHL. So yeah, I want to give the players actually in the Caps plans (under contract) to get minutes. The other goaltenders have to fight for a spot wherever they can. they know the game and what they signed up for. That is how it works.