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.
By Cara Bahniuk 1 month ago
In a shocking move, the Washington Capitals placed Pheonix Copley on waivers Wednesday. Copley signed a three-year contract last season to keep him in DC until 2022.
“It was a really difficult decision for us organizationally,” head coach Todd Reirden said. “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.”
The move indicates, either due to the salary cap or the longterm future of the team, that the Capitals will go with Ilya Samsonov as the team’s backup goaltender moving forward where he continue his rapid development. The aggressive move also suggests Braden Holtby’s future with the team beyond this season is in question. Holtby is a UFA at season’s end and is likely due a contract with an annual average salary of around $10 million.
Pheonix Copley and Colton Parayko won the Stanley Cup with Washington (2018) and St. Louis (2019) respectively. On Wednesday, the two hockey players held an autograph signing and met with fans at the Alaska Goldpanners’ “Hockey Night” at Growden Memorial Park. Copley is a native of North Pole, Alaska, while Parayko played three years on the University of Alaska’s hockey team.
“It is awesome, it is a tight-knit community, and the hockey community is great,” Copley said to KTVF11. “We get a lot of support it is awesome to be a part of something like this. I had so much help growing up from the community, so any way I can give back and help out, it’s great. It’s awesome to see kids who have dreams like that and any way I can help and inspire them is awesome.”
Hey, it’s Friday and that Matt Niskanen trade news was heavy.
So below, I would like you to enjoy this photo of Capitals goaltender Pheonix Copley posing with Barry the Goldendoodle.
The Washington Capitals evidently liked what they saw out of Pheonix Copley‘s rookie season, as they extended him through the 2021-22 season, but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about the future of Caps goaltending.
By Peter Hassett 6 months ago
After serving as the backup goaltender for the past five games, Pheonix Copley will be starting Sunday night against the Winnipeg Jets. Copley’s last game came on February 24 against the New York Rangers.
The rest of the lines remain the same, with Carl Hagelin playing on the third line alongside Lars Eller and Brett Connolly, and Nick Jensen pairing with Brooks Orpik on defense. The Capitals are on a six-game win streak.
By Cara Bahniuk 8 months ago
On Monday evening, the Capitals held the 13th annual Hockey ‘N Heels event. The event, which is exclusive to members of the Scarlet Caps, is a special evening dedicated to the team’s female fans.
The evening featured instructional sessions from a handful of Capitals and off-ice presentations, including a question and answer session with USA gold medal-winning Olympian Haley Skarupa.
By Cara Bahniuk 9 months ago
The Capitals announced on Monday morning that they had re-signed backup goaltender Pheonix Copley to a three-year contract worth $3.3 million. His cap hit per year will be $1.1 million.
Copley has done well in a backup role this season for Washington. In 19 appearances, the North Pole, Alaska native owns a 10-5-3 record with a 2.98 goals against average and a .903 save percentage.
By Rachel Cohen 9 months ago
After being raked in the eye by Cam Atkinson’s errant stick and serving as Pheonix Copley’s backup for two consecutive games, Braden Holtby fully participated in Capitals practice Thursday morning – the team’s first time on the ice since a 7-2 drubbing against the Nashville Predators.
It’s unclear which goalie will start against the New York Islanders on Friday, but Holtby’s full participation is another good sign in his recovery.
By Julia Karron 10 months ago
Grab your digital bidding paddles, Capitals fans. The Better Halves are back once again, auctioning off their annual themed gift baskets. As always, the baskets include autographed Capitals memorabilia, from jerseys to commemorative Stanley Cup championship merchandise, but also a few weird and wonderful surprises.
So if you’ve ever felt a desire to own signed fishing gear from Pheonix Copley, a signed four-person tent from Matt Niskanen (you’ve got to be prepared for the desert island, after all), or even some signed salami from Jonas Siegenthaler, then this is the auction for you.
By Donya Abramo 10 months ago
