Capitals Sign Goaltender Clay Stevenson To Entry-Level Contract

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Capitals added more depth in goal on Monday, signing Dartmouth College netminder Clay Stevenson to a two-year, entry-level contract. Stevenson’s ELC carries an AAV of $855,000 and will begin next season.

Stevenson is coming off a strong sophomore season at Dartmouth, where he went 6-14-2 with two shutouts, a 2.70 GAA and a .922 save percentage, which ranked second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference. He missed his freshman campaign due to COVID-19.

CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reported that Stevenson had met with the Capitals and Rangers and also had interest from the Canucks.

READ MORE ON WHN: Capitals Game Day Preview, Lineup Notes Before Tilt With Canes

Before his NCAA career, the 6-4, 195-pound netminder played three years for the BCHL’s Coquitlam Express. In his final BCHL season back in 2019-20, he boasted a .936 save percentage, 1.77 GAA and four shutouts to lead the team to the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy, which goes to the BCHL’s regular-season champion. He was also named the BCHL’s top goaltender. In 85 total games with Coquitlam, Stevenson went 48-29-3 with a .906 save percentage, 2.82 GAA and six shutouts.

The 23-year-old will bring a lot to the table for the Capitals, who are strengthening the core they have between the pipes. Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov currently manage the Washington crease, and both are free agents at the end of this season. Meanwhile, Pheonix Copley, Zach Fucale and Hunter Shepard have all impressed at the organization’s lower levels. Expect Stevenson to bring that same skill set to the table.

Stevenson has great lateral movement and size, and he tracks the puck well. He also possesses speed and a quick glove hand, and can also control rebounds well.