Photo credit: Kyle Mace of Sweetest Hockey On Earth
Bears goalie Philipp Grubauer has been called up from AHL Hershey. Braden Holtby has started the last seven games (posting a .940 Sv%), but Wednesday’s game would have been Michal Neuvirth’s most likely opportunity to start in more than two weeks. Mike Vogel reports Neuvy is ill.
This will be Grubauer’s first assignment in the NHL. Caps asistant goalie coach Olie Kolzig told RMNB last month that Grubauer is ready:
He really played fantastic. He played the way he’s played the last two years. He looks like he’s been there, done that. He’s very calm in the net. He made three or four huge saves (Saturday), was great in the shootout, and after the game you couldn’t tell it was first AHL win. He’s only lost one game in regulation since the end of November. This guy knows how to win.
Grubi will wear #31. Press relase below.
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Philipp Grubauer from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Grubauer, 21, has posted a record of 6-4-1 with a 2.10 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and one shutout (he also combined for second shutout with Dany Sabourin on Jan. 13) in 12 games during his rookie season with Hershey. He spent the first half of the season with Reading of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) and was named a starter in the ECHL All-Star game after compiling a record of 19-5-1 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage in 26 games played with the Royals. The ECHL Player of the Month for November, Grubauer ranks sixth in goals-against average and tied for fifth in the league in wins despite splitting time between the ECHL and AHL.
The 6’1”, 185-pound goaltender has collected a 42-18-5-1 record in two seasons in the ECHL with South Carolina and Reading. In addition to being named a starter for the 2013 ECHL All-Star Game, Grubauer was named to the 2012 ECHL All-Rookie team last season with South Carolina. The Rosenheim, Germany native represented Germany in the World Junior Championships in 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, winning the 2010 U-20 D1 gold medal while compiling the best goals-against average and best save percentage in the tournament. He led the Windsor Spitfires to the 2010 Memorial Cup Championship, winning all four games in the Memorial Cup round after helping Windsor win the OHL Championship.
Grubauer was originally drafted in the fourth round, 112th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He will participate in the Capitals optional morning skate at 11:30 a.m. today and will wear No. 31.
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