Hershey Signs Goalie Kapelmaster To PTO With Kuemper Hurt For Capitals

The Washington Capitals saw Darcy Kuemper go down with an injury on Saturday in a rough loss to the Calgary Flames, and the team’s AHL-affiliate Hershey Bears appear to be making some preparations for the scenario.

Hershey announced that the team signed goaltender Justin Kapelmaster to a professional tryout on Sunday. The 27-year-old has 39 games of ECHL experience and two games of AHL experience. He has played in one game for the Reading Royals this season, posting a .879 save percentage.

The Bears face the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Given the signing, it appears likely that the Bears will see Zach Fucale or Hunter Shepard go up to the Capitals. It is unclear what it means for Kuemper’s timeline.

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The 32-year-old veteran left Washington’s tilt in Calgary late in the second period with an upper-body injury. He took an elbow to the head from Tyler Toffoli and exchanged slashes with him before pulling himself out of the game. Kuemper did not feel right after the incident and did not return to play. Charlie Lindgren took over the crease from that point on, stopping seven of nine shots in the 5-2 defeat.

Losing Kuemper would hurt big time for the Capitals. He has started 20 games this season and has a .916 save percentage and 2.56 GAA.

In addition to Kuemper, Washington also lost Martin Fehervary to an upper-body injury in the second period of Saturday’s loss. The Capitals will have an update on the two Sunday, and are being re-evaluated with the team in Edmonton.

Washington faces the Oilers on Monday at Rogers Place.