Ben Raby, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – The Washington Capitals’ depth at the goaltending position was on full display at practice Monday with Tomas Vokoun, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby all taking the ice.
Vokoun remains sidelined with a groin injury while Neuvirth and Holtby have combined to start 13 of the last 16 games.
But in addition to Vokoun, Neuvirth and Holtby all practicing Monday, goaltending prospect Philipp Grubauer was also at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex.
Grubauer is in town for medical reasons and the 20-year-old told WTOP.com he is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday on his injured wrist.
Washington’s 2010 fourth-round draft pick was enjoying an impressive rookie campaign with the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays before suffering his season-ending injury.
Grubauer also had his final season of junior hockey cut short last year due to a bout with mononucleosis, but associate goaltending coach Olaf Kolzig said last month that Grubauer is on track with his development.
“He’s mature beyond his years,” Kolzig said. “He’s very athletic, very poised, doesn’t get too high or get too low. As a goaltender, you have to develop that happy medium where you don’t get too caught up when you’re playing bad or too excited when you’re playing good. Just go about it every game the same way.”
In his first professional season, Grubauer went 23-15-5 with a 2.22 goals-against-average and .918 save percentage. He was also named the ECHL’s Goaltender of the Month in November and its Rookie of the Month in January.
“He legitimately should be in the American League, and unfortunately with the numbers here he’s in the East Coast league. And he went down with a great attitude and because of that he’s had a fantastic year.”
Catch the Capitals and Buffalo Sabres Tuesday at 7 p.m. Coverage begins with Caps Pregame at 6:45 p.m. on Federal News Radio, WFED 1500AM and online at federalnewsradio.com.
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