The Washington Capitals announced that they called up goaltender Mitchell Gibson from the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday. The 24-year-old netminder will serve as a black ace.
Gibson posted a 22-14-3 record in the ECHL this season with a 2.56 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage, and three shutouts. In two appearances with AHL Hershey, Gibson went 2-0-0 with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. He scored a goalie goal while with the Stingrays this season.
With the Stingrays not qualifying for the 2024 Kelly Cup playoffs, Gibson was free to join either Washington or Hershey where he could serve as a depth goaltender. Hershey plays its final game of the regular season on Saturday while Washington opens its first round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Gibson’s promotion gives the Capitals an opportunity to have another goaltender field shots, giving Charlie Lindgren less of a workload during practice if necessary. Gibson could also work with other scratches and black aces (when necessary) after practice, both helping his development and giving skaters a competitive goalie in net.
In a corresponding move, South Carolina’s other goalie, Garin Bjorklund, was called up to Hershey where he will serve as the third goaltender behind Hunter Shepard and Clay Stevenson.
Mitchell Gibson has been recalled by the @Capitals while Garin Bjorklund has been reassigned to @TheHersheyBears. Good luck Gibby and G!
🗞️ https://t.co/pmu80gDt33 pic.twitter.com/UGTB5yUC6n
— SC Stingrays (@SCStingrays) April 19, 2024
Here’s the full release from the Capitals:
Capitals Recall Mitchell Gibson
Goaltender posted 22-14-3 record with 2.56 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in 42 games with South Carolina (ECHL)
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Mitchell Gibson from the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL, president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
The Capitals selected Gibson, 24, with their fourth-round pick, 124th overall, in the 2018 NHL Draft.
In 42 games with South Carolina this season, Gibson had a record of 22-14-3 with a 2.56 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage and three shutouts. The 6’2”, 204-pound goaltender ranked second in the ECHL in minutes played (2,532), tied for second in games played and tied for fifth in wins. The Phoenixville, Pennsylvania native has also appeared in two games with the Hershey Bears (AHL), posting a 2-0-0 record with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Gibson made his AHL debut on Oct. 22, 2023 at Bridgeport, stopping 21 of 23 shots faced in the Bears’ 3-2 overtime win.
Gibson appeared in 27 games for Harvard University (NCAA) in 2022-23, posting a record of 18-7-2 with a 2.25 goals-against average, a .919 save percentage and three shutouts. Gibson ranked third among ECAC goaltenders in goals-against average and save percentage. Gibson, who helped guide Harvard to its second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, was named to the All-ECAC Hockey Second Team.
During the 2021-22 season, Gibson had an 18-10-1 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. Gibson started 30 of Harvard’s 35 games in 2021-22, helping the Crimson capture the 2022 ECAC Hockey Championship and a NCAA Tournament bid. Gibson ranked second in the conference in wins (18), fourth in minutes played (1,739) and fifth in goals-against average, earning Second Team All-ECAC Hockey honors.
The Phoenixville, Pennsylvania native appeared in 23 games in his first year at Harvard in 2019-20, compiling a record of 11-8-3. Gibson ranked first among ECAC freshmen in goals against average (2.61) and save percentage (.916) and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team and an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention. Gibson earned a shutout in his first collegiate start on Nov. 8, 2019 versus Princeton.
In 80 career games at Harvard, Gibson posted a record of 47-25-6 with six shutouts, a 2.32 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
Gibson spent the 2018-19 season with the Central Illinois Flying Aces of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and 2017-18 with the Lone Star Brahmas of the North American Hockey League (NAHL), where was named the NAHL Goaltender of the Year after posting a 26-7-5 record, a 1.59 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and 11 shutouts in 43 games.
