According to CapGeek and Renaud Lavoie, the Caps have signed second-round pick Vitek Vanecek to a three-year entry-level contract. Vanecek will carry a $775,833 cap hit.
It is unknown where the goalie will play. Vanecek is still listed on the 2014-15 roster of HC Benatky nad Jizerou, a club in the Czech Republic’s second-tier league, where he was loaned last year. He played just one game for that team, spending most of the year with the junior squad of HC Bily Tigry Liberec.
Signing an ELC could present a new opportunity for Vanecek. As goaltending tandems in Washington and Hershey look set, Vanecek could compete for playing time with two other prospects, Brandon Anderson and Pheonix Copley, in South Carolina of the ECHL, or the Caps could elect to loan one of them to another minor pro club.
The CHL route is closed for Vanecek following a recent ban on import goalies. He can’t play college hockey either having signed a pro contract.
Vitek Vanecek and Michael Cajkovsky hanging out at the Nat's game pic.twitter.com/t7M7Miligd
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 8, 2014
Goalies at camp @washcaps @russianmachine @CapitalsInsider @NHL @SiriusXMNHL @NHLBarryMelrose @CapsOutsider #caps pic.twitter.com/NJhM3BsRyx
— OlieKolzig (@OlieKolzig37) July 11, 2014
July 15 Update: The Capitals have confirmed that Vanacek has signed his three-year entry level deal, which was first reported by Renaud Lavoie. Vanecek will play in the Czech Republic next season.
The Capitals have signed goaltender Vitek Vanecek to a three-year, entry-level contracthttp://t.co/Vz5E3zRXg6 pic.twitter.com/ua5MXbx37p
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 15, 2014
Vanecek will play in Czech Republic next season on assignment under his NHL contract.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) July 15, 2014
… as he is 18 and playing in Europe, his contract will not count against the 50 contract limit.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) July 15, 2014
Share On