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MUST-SEE: Virginia Native, Little Caps Alum Snively Nets First NHL Goal

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Capitals forward and Little Caps alum Joe Snively

Growing up in the DMV, Joe Snively laced ’em up for the Little Caps and trained at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, scoring goals at the Washington Capitals’ practice facility. And now lacing ’em up for his hometown NHL club, Snively saw things come full circle against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

The Herndon, V.a. native scored his first NHL goal just 5:04 minutes into the first period against the Habs to make it 1-0. He is the first Virginia-born player to score for the franchise and is the third in NHL history to score a goal, joining Eric Weinrich and Scott Lachance.

While filling in for Alex Ovechkin (COVID-19 protocols in Canada) on the top line with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson, Snively utilized his speed and drove to the net. There, he found a juicy rebound off a Justin Schultz shot and ripped a rocket past Cayden Primeau to make it 1-0 just 5:04 minutes into the first.

Snively grew up playing with the Little Caps and watching captain Alex Ovechkin, and he was ultimately inspired to make a career out of hockey. After a strong NCAA showing with Yale, he signed with his hometown team and has made the NHL jump following hard work with the team’s AHL affiliate in Hershey.

The 26-year-old now has a goal and two assists in six NHL games so far. The 25-year-old was also among the AHL’s leading scorers with 38 points through 35 games with the Bears this season.

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His speed and impressive play has not only earned him a spot on the top line, but in the top-6 as well. It’s been a long journey from the little Caps to… well, the big Caps, but it’s been a memorable one for No. 91.