The Capitals have dodged another bullet. The team’s former backup goaltender, Pheonix Copley, has cleared waivers and loaned to the American Hockey League’s Hersey Bears.

Copley was put on waivers on Wednesday afternoon as the Capitals announced their 2019-20 roster. Goaltender Ilya Samsonov was awarded the backup position.

Pheonix Copley has cleared waivers and has been loaned to Hershey.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 3, 2019

“It was a really difficult decision for us organizationally,” head coach Todd Reirden said in a press conference on Wednesday. “To have to put Copley on waivers was something organizationally, that we had to do and with where we’re at in today’s cap world, it was a tough one, especially with his work ethic, who he is as a person, how good he is in our locker room. It was a real tough day to inform him yesterday that he wasn’t coming on this trip and ultimately putting him on waivers.”

While Copley was reliable during his time as a backup last season, the 22-year-old Samsonov improved greatly throughout his season with the Bears and impressed during Training Camp and preseason.

Headline photo: Cara Bahniuk