The Washington Capitals beat out 25 other teams to sign college free agent Joe Snively to a two-year entry-level deal.

After speculation Tuesday night that Snively’s attendance at the Hershey Bears game could be an omen of a new contract in the works, the Bears announced that the Hobey Baker Award nominee did indeed sign.

Snively inked an amateur tryout Wednesday afternoon.

Donegal Insurance Group On The Move: The Bears have signed forward Joe Snively to an amateur tryout agreement. The recent #ALLCAPS signing out of @YaleMHockey has joined the Bears and will wear #15. https://t.co/dPHldvtYjO pic.twitter.com/fnt7QK9LIe

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 20, 2019

The AHL allows for teams to add players signed to amateur tryout contracts to their teams in the middle of the season, so long as the player’s college season or junior season is complete. Signing an amateur tryout contract to play in the AHL does not “burn a year” of a college free agent’s ELC status once in the NHL.

A Herndon, Va native who played in the Washington Little Caps system, Snively led Yale in points during his four years at the university.

More from the Hershey Bears:

(Hershey, PA-March 20, 2019)-The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed forward Joe Snively to an amateur tryout agreement.

Snively, 23, joins Hershey after signing a two-year, entry-level contract that starts in 2019-20 with the Washington Capitals. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound forward posted 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 33 games this season at Yale University. He collected a career-best five power play goals, and was named a Hobey Baker Award nominee. He was also selected to the ECAC All-League First-Team.

Snively led Yale in points in all four years of his collegiate career, collecting 139 points (58 goals, 81 assists) in 129 career NCAA games. Additional accomplishments in his NCAA career included being named to the NCAA All-Ivy League First Team and the NCAA (New England) All-Stars in 2017-18. During his freshman year in 2015-16, Snively was selected as NCAA Ivy-League Rookie of the Year, named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team and was a NCAA All-Ivy League Team honorable mention.

The native of Herndon, Virginia has joined Hershey and will wear #15.

Headline photo: @TheHersheyBears