The Washington Capitals announced they have re-signed goaltender Clay Stevenson to a three-year deal. Stevenson is 9-4-0 with a 1.70 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and a league-leading four shutouts in 13 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season.
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The Washington Capitals have re-signed goaltender Clay Stevenson to a three-year, $2.325 million contract, president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. The first year of Stevenson’s contract will be a two-way contract ($750,000/$200,000), while the second and third years will be a one-way contract ($775,000).
Stevenson, 24, has posted a 9-4-0 record with a 1.70 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and four shutouts in 13 games with the Hershey Bears (AHL) this season. Stevenson ranks first in the AHL in goals-against average and shutouts, second in save percentage, and tied for third in wins.
The 6’4”, 185-pound goaltender appeared in 36 games for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) last season, posting a record of 19-12-3 with a 2.54 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and three shutouts. In addition, Stevenson had a 2-1-2 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in five Kelly Cup Playoff games.
The Drayton Valley, Alberta native also appeared in three games with Hershey in 2022-23, going 3-0-0 with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Stevenson made his AHL debut on Dec. 10, 2022 against the Cleveland Monsters, stopping 25 of 27 shots. In 16 career AHL games with Hershey, Stevenson has a record of 12-4-0 with a 1.75 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and four shutouts.
The Capitals signed Stevenson to a two-year entry-level contract on March 28, 2022, following his sophomore season at Dartmouth College (NCAA). Stevenson earned six of Dartmouth’s seven wins during the 2021-22 season, leading the Big Green in wins, save percentage (.922), goals-against average (2.70) and shutouts (2). Stevenson posted a save percentage above .900 in all 23 games he played and his .922 save percentage was tied for second in the ECAC. Stevenson, who won the Phelan Award as Dartmouth’s MVP, was named to the 2021-22 All-Ivy First Team, the ECAC All-Rookie Team and the ECAC Third All-Star Team.
I’ll hazard a guess and say the Capitals have plans for him. He’s got the size and quickness teams want these days.
As fond as we all are of Shepard and what he’s shown so far, with his age I think he’s more useful as a trade piece, but Stevenson’s got a future on the Caps, at the very least as the heir apparent to the starter role in Hershey if not the back up job in DC. Big and mobile, and excellent puck tracking, and maybe most importantly doesnt get shaken by a bad game or two.
I think its more than just age holding Shep back. He’s not the prototypical size goalie of these days. Yeah I know, Saros is “only” 6’1″, but he’s an exception.Teams are looking for Vasilevsky-size guys nowadays. Bigger the better. Shep is listed at 6’1″, but that might be generous. He looks considerably smaller than many of the Bears.
Good (early) signing by the #ALLCAPS Stevenson continues to improve his game, looks really good so far this season, leads AHL in shutouts. More props to Danny Brooks for recruiting/signing Stevenson, who had offers from other teams.
Expected him to get a bit more for a three year deal.
6’4” and 185 pounds. He doesn’t need a contract, he needs a sandwich. Somebody feed this guy!
Lol 😂
Interesting contract with only the first year being two-way (and $200k AHL is good money). Then 2 years on one-way contract. Happens to coincide with when Chuck’s contract is up.
Savvy signing and good for both sides. Clay will be an UFA after that contract.