The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Hunter Shepard from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
The recall was made after Darcy Kuemper missed Thursday’s morning skate prior to Washington’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena (7 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network in-market, ESPN+ out-of-market) due to illness and is a game-time decision. Also, Charlie Lindgren could be moved prior to Friday’s 3 PM ET NHL Trade Deadline.
Shepard, 28, has a record of 2-1-1 with a 3.19 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage in four games with the Capitals this season. Shepard made his NHL debut and earned his first career win on Oct. 25 at New Jersey. On Nov. 11 against the New York Islanders, Shepard stopped 36 of 37 shots and was named the game’s First Star in a 4-1 Washington win. In 26 games with Hershey this season, Shepard has posted a record of 21-3-2 with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and two shutouts. Shepard ranks second in the AHL in in goals-against average, tied for third in wins and tied for sixth in save percentage.
Shepard appeared in 33 games with Hershey last season, posting a record of 20-8-5 with a 2.18 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and one shutout. The 6’0″, 219-pound goaltender ranked second among AHL goaltenders in goals-against average and tied for sixth in save percentage. Shepard, who was awarded the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the MVP of the Calder Cup Playoffs, started all 20 playoff games for the Bears,posting a 14-6 record with a 2.27 goals-against average, a .914 save percentage and three shutouts en route to the franchise’s league-record 12th championship. In 71 career AHL games with Hershey, Shepard has a record of 49-14-7 with a 2.05 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and five shutouts.
A native of Cohasset, Minnesota, Shepard won back-to-back NCAA Championships with Minnesota-Duluth in 2018 and 2019. In addition, he was twice named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Goaltender of the Year (2019 and 2020) and earned First-Team All-American honors in 2019 and Second-Team All-American honors in 2020. With Minnesota-Duluth, Shepard started an NCAA-record 115 straight games from Oct. 21, 2017 to March 7, 2020. Shepard finished his NCAA career as a three-time Mike Richter Award Finalist – given to the NCAA’s top goaltender – and a three-time All-NCHC selection.
This leads me to think that they have an offer for Charlie on the table and he is most likely going to be moved
Carbs said someone was sick but I couldn’t tell who. Perhaps a goalie.
I should read the article first and comments second. Grrr
Kemps is sick so Shep is just backup
I vote that the Caps move Kuemper instead of Charlie who has played much better than Kuemper this season.
Second the motion.
All in favor say “Aye”…
Bears have loaned Empey and O’Neil back to Stingrays and recalled Gibson. Game is tomorrow in Charlotte. The Rays play Saturday in Savannah. No word on their backup goalie.
Trading Charlie??? Kuemper has underperformed all year and we keep him?
Charlie and Shepard would be a terrific pairing.
Another baffling trade by our GM.
not fact in that
Kuemper is sick
With all due great respect for Chucky, it seems he has lost his mojo lately. Lots of goals NOT saved as expected (poor GSAX). Defense was responsible in part, yes, but he often seems lost and helpless in net. Still making some crazy saves at times, but the goals he gives up, a lot of them he probably wants back. His toy department has been something else, everyone shoots at it and picks up the gifts now. And he barely moves while they’re at it.
Not saying he should go (I want him to stay!), but just thinking, who should be in net tonight (if Shep can still get in between the pipes without proper practice). Read here he’s been good in Hershey lately)
The organization’s GOOD team is in Hershey.
Shocked – does not describe it. 6-0 midway thru the third. Talk about overcoming adversity 🙂 Gotta keep it up now.
You’re right — beyond shocked. Pits? We win? Score 6 goals? Shut them out? Any part of that game was shocking. Ovi got his 18th and Miro got his first. No one got injured, no one got ejected. What was not to like.
Caps Radio was so giddy at the end they almost sounded drunk.
Oh yeah, I was listening, too, as usual. And who would’ve blamed ‘em? 🤪
I was only hoping the team wouldn’t ruin Chucky’s shutout)
We had Miro Magic in this game. (There actually is a perfume with that name that came out in 2005 and Miro line of fragrances is inspired by the artwork of Joan Miró, Catalan surreal painter and sculptor.) But sounds like a great team to use for him.
What prompted the Washington Capitals to recall Shepard from AHL Hershey?
Telkom University
I read all the Pittsburgh based articles this morning I could find and all pretty much rushed through the game. They even admitted it. One site said their game recap would be short because roster composition was the big important news. Their entire focus is on who is a Penguin come 3pm this afternoon. I could not find Sullivan mentioned once. No quotes from the coach after the game, no speculation about the coach. No, it was all about trades.
Interesting to hear what their reaction is… So Sullivan is not even in the conversation?!
According to Patch: The first step to bring a Washington Capitals and Wizards arena to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard is in limbo as state lawmakers did not include the arena financing in the negotiated state budget.