The Washington Capitals announced on Friday afternoon that they have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the AHL’s Hershey Bears. To make room for Stevenson on the roster, they sent down forward Aliaksei Protas.
Stevenson’s arrival was necessitated by number one netminder Darcy Kuemper’s absence due to the birth of his first child. Stevenson is expected to backup Charlie Lindgren in the Capitals’ season-opening matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League and have loaned forward Aliaksei Protas to Hershey.https://t.co/4yO6xIDENP
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 13, 2023
Head coach Spencer Carbery indicated in his media availability Friday that a move like this could occur. “We’re very happy for the Kuemper family last night,” Carbery said. “And we’ll see. They were at the hospital last night, so we’ll see how today goes. If you have to make some adjustments lineup wise, we will this afternoon.”
Lindgren will get the nod in the Home Opener after his first season in DC saw him post a 13-11-3 record with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. Lindgren made two appearances in the preseason, playing over 100 minutes.
“My job is to be ready,” Lindgren said Friday.
Protas is one of only two players on the Capitals’ roster that is waivers exempt, meaning there is no risk of losing him if he is sent down to the minor leagues. With Connor McMichael slated to start the season in the team’s top-six forward group, Protas was the only option to fit Stevenson on the roster.
Stevenson, who was just announced to be on Hershey’s Opening Night roster, played the majority of last season in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays. The Caps signed the netminder to a two-year entry-level contract in March of 2022 following his sophomore season at Dartmouth in the NCAA.
Puck drop against the Penguins is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Here’s the release from the team:
Capitals Recall Clay Stevenson, Forward Aliaksei Protas Loaned to Hershey
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Clay Stevenson from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) and have loaned forward Aliaksei Protas to Hershey, president of hockey operations and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
Stevenson, 24, appeared in 36 games for the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL) last season, posting a record of 19-12-3-1 with a 2.54 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and three shutouts. The 6’4”, 185-pound goaltender ranked second among ECHL goaltenders in goals-against average, tied for fifth in shutouts and seventh in save percentage. In addition, Stevenson posted a 2-1-2 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in five Kelly Cup Playoff games.
The Drayton Valley, Alberta native also posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage in three games with Hershey in 2022-23. Stevenson made his AHL debut on Dec. 10, 2022, against the Cleveland Monsters, stopping 25 of 27 shots.
The Capitals signed Stevenson to a two-year entry-level contract on March 28, 2022, following his sophomore season at Dartmouth (NCAA). Stevenson earned six of Dartmouth’s seven wins during the 2021-22 season, leading the Big Green in wins, save percentage (.922), goals-against average (2.70) and shutouts (2). Stevenson posted a save percentage above .900 in all 23 games he played and his .922 save percentage was tied for second in the ECAC. Stevenson, who won the Phelan Award as Dartmouth’s MVP, was named to the 2021-22 All-Ivy First Team, the ECAC All-Rookie Team and the ECAC Third All-Star Team.
Stevenson will wear number 33 with the Capitals.
Protas, 22, recorded 15 points (4g, 11a) in 58 games with Washington in 2022-23. The 6’6”, 237-pound forward established NHL single-season career highs in goals, assists, points, games played and shots (83). In 91 career games with the Capitals, Protas has registered 24 points (7g, 17a) while averaging 11:38 time on ice per game.
The Minsk, Belarus native added five points (2g, 3a) in nine regular-season games with Hershey and 13 points (5g, 8a) in 20 playoff games during Hershey’s run to the Calder Cup championship. During the playoffs, Protas was tied for the team lead in power-play goals (2), tied for second in goals and tied for third in points.
Headline photo: Alan Dobbins/RMNB
