Virginia native Joe Snively has come a long way from his days as a Little Capital. The 23-year-old forward begins his two-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals organization this season.
Hours before Snively’s first big camp as a Capital, Wendy Marco — a local prominent skating coach who trains many current Capitals players — posted some throwback photos of Snively, working out with Capitals strength coach Mark Nemish.
Stumbled upon these pictures from the WAY BACK machine tonight. That's @Capitals strength coach Mark Nemish running off ice training for our 2008 Explode camp. Joe Snively is front and center (the USNA shorts), 11 years before Joe signed his Caps contract! ❤️ #Homegrown pic.twitter.com/dB5tcrvjpq
— Coldrush Hockey (@ColdRushHockey) September 13, 2019
Photos: @ColdRushHockey
Snively — who has the same dentist as Alex Ovechkin — is the second local player to sign with the Capitals since Jeff Halpern in 1999. “I think the whole organization have to be happy and be really proud of it,” Ovechkin said.
“It was the best move and a good opportunity for me,” Snively said to the New Haven Register, back when he signed with the Caps on March 18. “I love the Capitals. They’re my favorite team and it was special to watch them win the Stanley Cup last spring. I’ve been following them since they wore the old black-and-gold uniforms.”
On March 20, Snively was signed to an amateur tryout by the Hershey Bears, the Capitals’ AHL affiliate. Ten days later, he scored his first professional goal in his first AHL game.
1st game
1st goal
1st GWGOUTTA THIS WORLD! #HBH #DefendTheDen pic.twitter.com/RYrOdu7wLC
— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) March 31, 2019
But it was the play-by-play call on Snively’s goal at the recent Prospect Showcase that served as a reminder of just how far he has come since his tie-dye wearing days: “The former Little Cap has scored in a Capitals’ uniform!”
Beat em by a touchdown #FutureCapsJerks pic.twitter.com/B2MBRWAVH9
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 8, 2019
That goal wasn’t Snively’s only contribution. He also tallied two assists during his multi-point outing against Carolina at the Showcase.
We can’t speak for the organization, but we’re certainly proud of Snively’s progress since his Little Cap days! We’re just wondering if his tie-dye shirt will also make a comeback.
Headline image: @ColdRushHockey
