Capitals re-assign Vitek Vanecek and Pheonix Copley to Hershey

It looks like a homecoming is here for Vitek Vanecek in Hershey. The Washington Capitals re assigned both him and Pheonix Copley to the Hershey Bears. For Vanecek, he’s being re assigned on a conditioning loan.

Vanecek got banged up in the Feb. 1 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins and has not seen game action since. Perhaps the team wants him to get a game in Hershey under his belt before he’s sent back to the NHL.

The 26 year old has posted a record of 10-6-5 with two shutouts, a 2.39 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season. In 24 games, the six foot two, 184 pound goaltender has a 1.75 goals against average and a .935 save percentage at five on five.

The Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic, native has the lowest goals against average and rebounds allowed per 60 minutes of play (1.86) and the fourth best save percentage in the NHL at five on five among goaltenders with at least 15 games played.

Vanecek is 31-16-9 in 61 career games with the Capitals with four shutouts, a 2.58 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. The Capitals selected Vanecek with their second round pick at 39th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.

For a brief time, about a week in the summer, Vanecek got snatched by the Seattle Kraken but the Caps re acquired him for a second round draft pick that was originally acquired from the Winnipeg Jets in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Copley made 21 saves in his season debut on Feb. 2 against the Edmonton Oilers and has appeared in two games for the Caps this season. The 30 year old is 16-9-3 in 31 career NHL games with one shutout, a 2.98 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.

In 22 games with the Bears this season, Copley has compiled a record of 13-7-2 with two shutouts, a 2.43 goals against average and a .909 save percentage, leading the Bears in each respective category.

The Bears take on the Utica Comets today at 5 p.m. from the Giant Center and fans might be treated to a Vanecek homecoming.