The Washington Capitals have announced the recall of goaltender Hunter Shepard from their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. This decision was confirmed today by senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick.
Hunter Shepard, now 29 years old, has demonstrated remarkable performance this season, boasting a record of 22 wins, 11 losses, and 3 overtime losses, complemented by a 2.81 goals-against average and an .891 save percentage across 37 games. His impressive win total places him tied for second in the AHL for victories this season, underscoring his ability to secure crucial games for his team.
Shepard made his NHL debut last season with the Capitals, participating in four games where he achieved a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 1 overtime loss. During this stint, he recorded a 3.19 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage. Notably, he earned his first NHL victory on October 25, 2023, in a game against New Jersey. His standout performance on November 11, 2023, against the New York Islanders, where he stopped 36 of 37 shots, earned him recognition as the game’s First Star in a decisive 4-1 victory for Washington.
In recognition of his outstanding performance in the AHL, Shepard was named to the AHL First All-Star Team this season. He achieve career highs across several categories, including games played, wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts (5), demonstrating his significant impact on the ice. Shepard was also honored with the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award, given to the league’s outstanding goaltender for the 2023-24 season.
Moreover, his remarkable .838 win percentage in the regular season not only set a new record for the Hershey Bears franchise but also stood as the second-highest in AHL history. Shepard’s contributions helped guide the Bears to their second consecutive Calder Cup championship, where he posted an impressive postseason record of 14 wins against 6 losses, with a 2.49 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage.
With Shepard’s impressive track record and accolades, his recall to the Capitals presents an exciting opportunity for him to contribute further to the team’s success at the NHL level.
