Snively Makes Hometown Debut

On Sunday morning Joe Snively took morning skate at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, the same sheet of ice he grew up playing on with the Washington Little Caps program. And on Sunday night, he made his NHL debut 25 miles away from home at Capital One Arena.

Snively, a 25-year-old forward who grew up in Herndon, Virginia, has been a Capitals fan his entire life.
He's a product of a term coined the 'Ovechkin Effect' which has seen a 221% increase in the total growth of youth hockey players in the DMV since Alex Ovechkin's draft year in 2004.

After being signed to Washington as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and finishing up an entry-level contract while playing with the Hershey Bears, the Washington Capitals re-signed him to a one-year, two-way contract earlier this summer.
Snively has now played 105 AHL games racking up 70 points and leads the Bears in scoring this season. After seeing several Bears teammates make their NHL debuts with the Caps this season, finally his number was called.
"He's worked hard. He put himself in a position to have his name called," said head coach Peter Laviolette at morning skate media availability.

Snively made his lifelong dream of playing in the NHL come true in the very arena he watched his favorite team play growing up and by doing so, he became the first player from the Commonwealth of Virginia to play for the Washington Capitals.
Snively understands the impact his journey will have on other youth hockey players in the area also eyeing an NHL career.
"I came from this area, I made it, so they can too," says Snively. "I'm just trying to set an example for them."

Snively recorded his first NHL point in his debut with a primary assist on a Connor McMichael goal in the first period in front of his biggest supporters.
His mom, dad, brother, sister and other family friends made the drive to downtown Washington, D.C. to take in the moment.

Snively finished the game with two SOG, one hit, and 6:53 of ice time.
"Yeah it was pretty thrilling, nerves were going and adrenaline was pumping so it was a lot of fun," said Snively.