The Capitals have signed goalie Philipp Grubauer to a three-year entry-level contract. The 18-year-old German was the organization’s fourth-round draft pick last June (112th overall). He led Windsor to the Memorial Cup last spring – the most prestigious tournament in Canadian junior hockey. Washington, surprised the young goalie was still available, traded two draft picks to move up in order to snag Grubauer.
Grubauer now plays for the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. He is 2-2 with a .924 save percentage and a 2.75 goals-against average so far this season. During his time with Windsor and Belleville in 2009-10 – he was traded during the season – Grubauer was 23-15-2-5 with a 2.86 GAA and a .911 save percentage.
Until he turns pro Grubauer won’t count against the team’s limit of 50 contracts. He started for Germany at last year’s world junior championships, lifting his country to the gold medal in the second division and back into the main draw for this year’s competition.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder turns 19 on Nov. 25. He took part in Caps’ development camp this past July at Kettler Iceplex and was back for rookie camp last month. Grubauer then spent a few days at the team’s main training camp before Washington returned him to Kingston on Sept. 21.
Kingston is the former junior home of Caps forward Matt Bradley – where he once had an 83-point season in 55 games in 1997-98 – and former Caps forwards Jan Bulis and Matt Cooke.
Follow me on Twitter @bmcnally14
