In March, the Washington Capitals signed forward Joe Snively to a two-year, entry-level contract that starts during the upcoming 2019-20 campaign. Snively made his AHL debut for the Hershey Bears last season after his collegiate career ended with Yale and scored an impressive 7 points in 9 games.
Not only can Snively flat out play, he’s also a local product. A native of Herndon, Virginia, Snively played for the Little Caps and has been a Capitals fan all his life.
How big of a fan is he? In a Development Camp interview with Mike Vogel, Snively revealed that he jumping up and down and cheering with you outside of Capital One Arena during the Capitals’ Stanley Cup-clinching win against the Vegas Golden Knights.
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Where was lifelong Caps fan Joe Snively when the Caps won the #StanleyCup? Outside the arena celebrating with all of you
Get to know the recent college ufa 👇 pic.twitter.com/AzbgrVlYMm
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 18, 2019
“I was downtown DC outside the arena,” Snively said before laughing. “Watching on the big screen.
“It was a great feeling at that time,” Snively added. “I didn’t know I would have the opportunity to sign with the Capitals. I had been a Caps fan ever since I started watching hockey. It was great to see them after all those years in the playoffs, to win the Cup, it was amazing.”
That night, nearly 20,000 people crammed into Capital One Arena to watch the game on the jumbotron while tens of thousands of others surrounded the venue and watched on big screens.
It was a powerful scene that was captured on NBC’s coverage of the game that night. When Lars Eller scored the go-ahead goal, the crowd went wild.
Here’s a look from the street. The roar, man.
The 23-year-old Snively is expected to start the season in Hershey next year, but could be brought up to Washington for some games this season or next if he continues to develop.
Headline photo: NBC
