The Washington Capitals announced Thursday afternoon that they have returned forward Joe Snively to AHL Hershey. Snively was recalled by the Capitals on Tuesday after Sonny Milano came down with a non-Covid illness. Snively played in the Rangers game on Tuesday night, but was a healthy scratch against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
Snively’s return to Hershey likely signals that forward Sonny Milano is close, if not ready to return to the lineup.
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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have loaned forward Joe Snively to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Snively has recorded three points (1g, 2a) in eight games with Washington this season. The Herndon, Virginia, native became the first Virginia-born player to play for the Capitals in franchise history last season. In 12 games in 2021-22, Snively recorded seven points (4g, 3a), including a three-point effort (2g, 1a) on Feb. 10, 2022 against the Montreal Canadiens. Snively became one of 15 rookies in franchise history to record at least seven points in his first 10 games. In 20 career NHL games with the Capitals, Snively has recorded 10 points (5g, 5a).
In 20 games with Hershey this season, Snively has recorded 16 points (7g, 9a). The 5’9″, 179-pound forward ranks first on the Bears in shooting percentage (20.6) and fourth in points per game (0.80). Snively recorded 38 points (15g, 23a) in 35 games with Hershey in 2021-22 and ranked third on the team in points and fourth in goals. During the 2020-21 season, Snively registered 17 points (6g, 11a) in 30 games for the Bears. In 139 career AHL games with Hershey, Snively has recorded 102 points (42g, 60a).
Snively trained at MedStar Capitals Iceplex during his youth and was a participant in Washington’s Little Caps program.
Snively, 27, was never drafted but signed a two-year deal with the Capsitals in 2019 for $925,000 per year. The Capitals re-signed Snively to a one-year, two-way contract extension on June 3, 2021 and re-signed him to a two-year deal on March 16, 2022. He will be a restricted free agent in 2024-25.
Snively has recorded three points (1g, 2a) in eight games with Washington this season. In 20 games with Hershey this season, he has recorded 16 points (7g, 9a).
By Jon Sorensen