Neuvirth signs three-year deal with Capitals

The Washington Capitals have signed goaltender Michal Neuvirth to a three-year entry-level contract beginning next season. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Neuvirth, 19, was a second-round selection of the Capitals, 34th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-1, 197-pound, left-handed catching goaltender spent this past season with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League where he was named the OHL’s All-Star Second Team Goaltender and was runner-up for the OHL Goaltender of the Year award.

The Usti Labem, Czech Republic, native finished the regular season with a 26-8-2-2 record, which included four shootouts. His goals-against average was 2.32 and he notched a .932 save percentage. Neuvirth set the longest shutout streak in franchise history from Dec. 28, 2006, to Jan. 6, 2007, by not allowing a goal in 164:18.

Neuvirth carded an impressive 14-3-1 playoff record, which included an OHL championship and a spot in the Memorial Cup semifinals. His playoff GAA was 2.45 and his .932 save percentage equaled his season output.

Prior to suiting up in the OHL, Neuvirth led the Czech Republic to a bronze medal at the 2006 IIHF World Under-18 Hockey Championship, posting a 3-1-2 record.

The Capitals expect Neuvirth to be in attendance at the team’s summer development camp July 11-14 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.