March 30, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE â" March 30, 2009
Capitals Recall Simeon Varlamov from Hershey
ARLINGTON, Va. â" The Washington Capitals have recalled goaltender Simeon Varlamov from the
Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Varlamov, 20, is a first-year pro who stands 6â™1â, 201 pounds. He has compiled a 19-7-1 record in Hershey this season and has two shutouts, a .916 save percentage and a 2.40 goals-against average (GAA). Varlamov is 3-0-0 with the Capitals this year, posting a .939 save percentage and 1.74 GAA.
The Samara, Russia, native made his NHL debut in Montreal on Dec. 13 and beat the Canadiens, 2-1, to become the youngest Russian-born goaltender to make an NHL start and the first NHL goalie in more than 30 years to win his debut at Montreal (since Hardy Astrom, New York Rangers, on Feb. 25, 1978). Varlamov is the first Capitals goalie to win his first three NHL starts since Jim Carey won his first four in 1994-95. He was the Capitalsâ™ first-round choice, 23rd overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.