In mid-July, the Washington Capitals quietly signed six-foot, four-inch prospect Zach Sanford to a three-year entry-level contract. Sanford, a second-round pick from the 2013 draft, opted to leave Boston College before his junior season and start his professional career two years early.

While Sanford was not high on the Capitals depth chart heading into training camp, the 21-year-old forward’s impressive performance during the preseason may have forced the team’s hand. Friday night in Raliegh, Sanford continued his dominance, notching a goal and a game-high five shots.

But it was Sanford’s “jockstrapper” — a beautiful dipsy-doo in the second period — which inspired Caps analyst Craig Laughlin to declare the prospect made the team.

Sanford starts the breakout in the Caps defensive zone. After a give-and-go with Lars Eller, Sanford walks Jeff Skinner and gets a shot off on his backhand.

Here’s Locker’s commentary.

Craig Laughlin: Let’s take a look at this jockstrapper from Sanford, the young kid out of Boston College,” Laughlin said. “Yeah, this was something special. This shows just how good this kid is. A little give-and-go, gets it back on a little bit of a drop, and watch him pull it around the defenseman and then get a great shot.”

He just made the team.

Joe Beninati: Craig Laughlin just anointed Zach Sanford. Why don’t you tell him to get a place too!

Later in the third period, Sanford scored on a sharp angle after a beautiful pickpocket of Noah Hanifin along the boards. Craig Laughlin called it a goalscorer’s goal.

Beautiful.