The Hershey Bears announced on Thursday that they signed Dartmouth goaltender Clay Stevenson to an amateur tryout agreement allowing the 23-year-old prospect to finish his year in the AHL.

The move was expected after Stevenson signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Washington Capitals in late March, which begins next season.

The Bears have signed goaltender Clay Stevenson to an amateur tryout agreement. Stevenson recently signed a two-year contract with the @Capitals that starts in 2022-23.

— Hershey Bears (@TheHersheyBears) April 7, 2022

The six-foot-four Stevenson was one of the most coveted undrafted free agent goaltenders out of college this year. Stevenson put up big numbers (two shutouts, a 2.70 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage) behind a struggling Dartmouth team that finished the 2021-22 season with a 7-22-3 record. Stevenson was in net for six of those seven Dartmouth victories.

According to The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, the team hosted Stevenson for a visit in mid March. The Athletic’s Rick Dhaliwal reported that Stevenson chose the Caps over interest from the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken.

Stevenson will wear number 43 for Hershey.

Here’s the full press release from the Hershey Bears:

BEARS SIGN GOALTENDER CLAY STEVENSON TO AMATEUR TRYOUT AGREEMENT

Netminder from Dartmouth College recently signed two-year deal with Washington Capitals

(Hershey, PA – April 7, 2022) – The Hershey Bears announced today that the club has signed goaltender Clay Stevenson to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO).

Stevenson, 23, recently signed a two-year entry-level contract with the NHL’s Washington Capitals that begins in the 2022-23 season.

The 6’4″, 195-pound goaltender recorded a record of 6-14-2, with two shutouts, a 2.70 goals-against average, and a .922 save percentage in his sophomore season at Dartmouth College. The Chilliwack, British Columbia, native was named to the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) All-Rookie Team and the ECAC Third All-Star Team. He notched a save percentage above .900 in all 23 games this season, and his .922 save percentage was tied for second in the ECAC.

Stevenson did not play for Dartmouth during his freshman season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to joining the NCAA ranks, Stevenson played in three seasons with the Coquitlam Express in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). In 2019-20, Stevenson went 30-2-2 record with four shutouts, a 1.77 goals-against average, and a .936 save percentage. His strong play led the team to the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy, awarded to the BCHL’s regular season champion. Stevenson was named a BCHL First Team All-Star, and was honored as the BCHL’s Top Goaltender.

Stevenson will wear #43 for Hershey.

The Hershey Bears return to action on Friday, Apr. 8 to kickoff three games in three nights. Hershey will conclude their six-game road swing with a 7:05 p.m. puck drop against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. The game may be heard on the Highmark Bears Radio Network and viewed on AHLTV.

Headline photo: Ian Oland/RMNB