The Washington Capitals signed forward Joe Snively to a two-year entry-level contract on Monday. The 23-year old started his hockey career playing for the Washington Little Caps program. In 2012 he started playing in the USHL with the Sioux City Musketeers and Yale University in 2015.
“Signing for the Capitals means a lot coming from my hometown team,” he told reporters on Monday. “I love the Caps, they are my favorite team and I root for them every year. It was really special to watch them win the Stanley Cup last spring and following them all the way since they wore the old black and gold jerseys.”
Ovechkin and Snively go to the same dentist
Surprise….. surprise…when asked if he had ever met any of the Caps, he said he met Ovechkin. He met him at the dentist office and got his autograph on a pair of gloves when he was 12 years old. Asked of his favorite player, without hesitation he said, “I really admire Backstrom! just because I love his play-make abilities and that’s something I tried to learn from him, and he’s an unbelievable passer. I been watching him play for the Caps since he was drafted. That’s a guy for sure I look up to.”
Snively started to skate when he was just five years old. He considers his skating skills as his best attribute, and he is looking forward to improving.
What’s next? Hershey in the Spring as a trial agreement?
He explained that they are still trying to figure that out. With a possibility of maybe playing at Hershey this spring, the decision will be made depending on his class schedule at Yale.
Snively has represented Team USA twice, in 2013 at U-18 level, winning a silver medal at the Ivan Hlinka Tournament, and in 2014 at the World Junior A Championship, winning a gold medal. Elite Prospects describes him this way:
Prominent offensive presence whenever he is on the ice. Exhibits a hunger for loose pucks and can carry it himself into the slot. Not the biggest body, but doesn’t shy away from bigger bodies to create opportunities. Very accurate shot which jumps off his stick. Excellent passer and proficient puck skills. Very determined and works hard for the time and space he finds. Needs to recognize transition chances starting in his own end and the neutral zone quicker, and always be a factor in defensive as well as offensive play.
Currently in his NCAA career, the 5’9, 180 pound forward has 33 games played, 15 goals and 21 assists, with 36 points. He led Yale in his four years playing for them. He has an all time NCAA record of 139 points, 58 goals and 81 assists.
