Braden Holtby was supposed to be in net against the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night. But not anymore. According to the Capitals PR, Holtby suffered an upper-body injury and Pheonix Copley will get the start.
With Holtby out, the Capitals will dress an emergency goalie, 31-year-old Gavin McHale, to ride the bench.
This will be a back-to-back for Copley, who let in two goals on 28 shots last night against the Minnesota Wild.
#Caps goalie Braden Holtby is out with an upper body injury. Pheonix Copley is scheduled to start against Winnipeg. Caps sign Gavin McHale on ATO to serve as a backup wearing No. 41. Defenseman Michal Kempny (illness) is listed as day to day. #CapsJets
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 15, 2018
McHale is a goaltending coach for the University of Manitoba’s women’s hockey team.
#ALLCAPS Pheonix Copley expected to make second consecutive start tonight vs. #GoJetsGo. Braden Holtby expected to be a scratch. Gavin McHale is due to be the emergency goalie tonight. McHale is goaltending coach with @umbisonsWHKY in Winnipeg.
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) November 15, 2018
According to the University of Manitoba’s sports website, McHale has played in college and the WHL.
Gavin McHale is the new Bison women’s hockey goaltender coach for the 2017-18 season. He is a certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP) and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from the University of Manitoba.
McHale’s playing experience includes stints with Seattle and Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League as well as Salmon Arm, Lloydminster and Portage in Tier 2 Junior. He played two years (2008-09, 2009-10) with the University of Manitoba Bisons men’s hockey team before moving into coaching.
McHale has worked with goaltenders of all ages and skill levels, including Junior, College and Pro goaltenders over the years and focuses on perfect execution of the fundamentals.
McHale works as a Strength Coach in Winnipeg and runs a fitness-focused website that can be found at: www.mchalestrength.com
Here, from hockeydb.com, are McHale’s stats:
The Caps previously employed video coach Brett Leonhardt as emergency backup goalie in 2008 and 2013.
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Jets
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong
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