Washington Calls Up Goaltender Braden Holtby

[Thrillhouse]

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Braden Holtby from the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. In addition, the Capitals assigned goaltender Todd Ford to Hershey.

Holtby, 21, has appeared in eight games for the Capitals this season, including his NHL debut Nov. 5, posting a 4-2-2 record, a 2.47 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage. The 6’2, 205-pound Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, native is 14-6-2 in 23 games with the Bears this season. He ranks tied for first in the AHL in save percentage (.930%) and third in goals-against average (1.98). His five shutouts are one shy of the league lead.

Last season, in his first year as a pro, Holtby posted a 24-8-2 record with a 2.32 GAA and a .917 save percentage in 37 games with the Bears last season. He led the team in wins and was ranked fourth in the AHL, first among rookies, in GAA. He also played in 12 games for South Carolina (ECHL), posting a 7-2-3 record and participating in the ECHL All-Star Game. Holtby was the Capitals’ fourth-round choice, 93rd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Holtby, who wears No. 70 for Washington, will be available for tonight’s game versus the St. Louis Blues at Verizon Center.

Ford is a seven-year pro who has split this season with Hershey and the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL). Ford posted a 6-4-1 record with a 3.04 goals-against average and a .884 save percentage in 12 games with Hershey this season. In South Carolina, Ford posted an 11-6-1 record with a 2.69 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. Ford was drafted in the third round, 74th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs.