Capitals add and re-sign prospects

The Washington Capitals were mostly quiet on the second day of NHL Free Agency but they did re sign some prospects while adding others.

They re signed goaltender Hunter Shepard to a two year, two way contract where he’ll make $775,000/$350,000, defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two year, two way contract ($775,000/$525,000).

They also signed forward Pierrick Dube to a two year, two way entry level contract ($870,000/$82,500) and forward Matthew Phillips to a one year, $775,000 one way contract.

Shepard appeared in 33 games with the Hershey Bears last season, posting a record of 20-8-5 with a 2.18 goals against average, a .916 save percentage and one shutout. The 27 year old ranked second among AHL goaltenders in goals against average and tied for sixth in save percentage.

The Choasset, Minnesota native was named the AHL Goaltender of the Month in Nov. 2022 after registering a 6-0-0 record with a 1.63 goals against average and a .936 save percentage.

Shepard stared all 20 Calder Cup Playoff games for the Bears going 14-6 with a 2.27 goals against average, a .914 save percentage and three shutouts. The six foot, 222 pound goaltender won the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy awarded to the MVP of the Calder Cup playoffs.

McIlrath is Hershey’s captain. He recorded 13 assists and a team leading 102 penalty minutes in 60 regular season games with Hershey this season. HIs 13 assists were an AHL single season career high. He added two points and 44 penalty minutes in their run to the Calder Cup.

Dube recorded 32 points in 44 games with 16 goals and 16 assists with the Laval Rocket of the AHL. The 22 year old ranked first among Laval rookies in points per game at 0.73 and plus minus at plus 110.

Phillips recorded 76 points in 66 games with 36 goals and 40 assists with the Calgary Wranglers in 2022 23. He led the AHL’s top regular season team in scoring and ranked second in the AHL in goals and fifth in points.