Stevenson was claimed off waivers from Washington on Monday, bringing an impressive résumé with him to Winnipeg. The 26-year-old won a Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears in 2024 and went 3-1 in four NHL appearances with the Capitals.
With Washington already carrying Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren, the Capitals attempted to send Stevenson back to Hershey. That opened the door for the Jets, who stepped in and claimed him.
“Clay was a name that came up last year. He's been on our radar. I know through Flats (Wade Flaherty), and our scouts, that was a name that I heard a while ago,” said Scott Arniel.
“It was talked about, obviously, in the summer. We knew that there could be a possibility where the way Washington was kind of where they're at, and, for us, when you do that, you put a claim in, you don't know if you're getting them, obviously.”
Being a goaltender at the professional level requires patience. You never really know when your opportunity is going to come, and Stevenson has learned to focus on what is directly in front of him. Undrafted out of junior, he has played more than 100 games in the American Hockey League, won a Calder Cup and made his NHL debut with Washington. Even after being sent back to the AHL this season, he didn't let the disappointment change his approach. He stayed patient, trusted himself and kept moving forward — a mindset that eventually led him to Winnipeg.
“Yeah, I mean, I suppose I play the game in front of me wherever I'm at, and if it works the way that maybe I was going back there, I would still just be there and whatever,” smiled Stevenson.
“But I always say a thing, if you're in a dark forest, you can't get out until you just look down and take your first step. So, yeah, I just try to be present and be there wherever I am.”
It’s clearly been a whirlwind for Stevenson, but his girlfriend may have had an even crazier week.
She was actually flying into Washington on the same day Stevenson found out he was heading to Winnipeg. He got the news around 2 p.m. She was scheduled to land at 3.
“I texted her, and then, like, well, we're going to Winnipeg now,” Stevenson said with a laugh.
So instead of settling into Washington, the couple suddenly found themselves making plans for Winnipeg.
“It’s a pretty quick transition for her. A lot of flights, so she's probably still sleeping right now.”
Stevenson won’t have to navigate his new surroundings entirely on his own. He has a close friend waiting for him in Stuart Skinner, whom he has trained with in Kelowna for the past few years and grown particularly close with. Having someone he already trusts in the room should make the whirlwind transition to Winnipeg a little easier.
“I was definitely super stoked to get here and tandem with him,” said Stevenson.
“And yeah, it's been incredible. (You’ll) see some good chemistry.”
ICE CHIPS
The trip to Colorado Springs following the Jets final preseason contest in Denver was a success according to Arniel.
“We split them up in teams and they were doing multiple different things, and we had young guys with old guys. We had guys that maybe don't hang with each other all the time that were together,” said Arniel.
“Whether it was small groups, big groups, they had to sort of accomplish different things together and it's exactly what I'd hoped would happen. Now we'll debrief it and take it from there.”
