The Washington Capitals announced on Tuesday that the team has extended goaltender Clay Stevenson for three years. The first season will be a two-way contract ($750,000 at the NHL level, $200,000 at the AHL level) and the remaining two will be a one-way contract ($775,000). Stevenson, 24, has been an integral part of the Hershey Bears as part of their tandem and one of the league’s leading netminders. His 1.70 goals against average is the best such stat among all goaltenders in the American Hockey League, while his 0.934 save percentage is second overall.
Feat of Clay
Stevenson made his professional debut with Hershey’s ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, a season ago. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 185 pounds, he played in 36 games for the Stingrays in 2022-23. He posted a record of 19-12-3 with a 2.54 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and three shutouts. He had five starts in the Kelly Cup Playoffs, posting a 2-1-2 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage.
The writing has been on the wall for Stevenson’s ascension to the Bears, as he impressed in three starts in Hershey in 2022-23. He won all three of his starts with a 1.96 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. This season, Stevenson boasts a record of 9-4-0-0 and has been excellent. He’s played in four sets of back-to-back starts, where he has a record of 5-3-0-0.
Mud Room
Stevenson, affectionately nicknamed “Mud” as a play on his first name, has been an integral part of Hershey’s successful start. The Capitals have recalled Calder Cup MVP Hunter Shepard on multiple occasions this season. It’s forced Stevenson to take the majority of starts for the Chocolate and White, but he’s excelled with the opportunity. His big frame allows him to stretch out and make improbable saves as he’s done many times.
His unflappable nature in the crease has a calming effect on his team that goes a long way towards winning games. He continues to hone his game under goaltending coach Juha Lehtola in Hershey, and the future is bright for him. Stevenson was set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season. The extension could see him as an option to go to Washington eventually if he has good success in Hershey.
[…] it’s time to issue another round of appreciation for Clay Stevenson, who signed a three-year extension with Washington on Tuesday. Hershey’s rookie netminder leads the AHL in goals against average […]