Michigan Tech's Pheonix Copley Signs with Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals announced on Wednesday evening that they have signed Michigan Tech sophomore goalie Pheonix Copley to a contract. Copley will join the Caps' AHL affiliate in Hershey.

Copley, originally from North Pole, Alaska, joined a crowded Michigan Tech goal crease last season as a freshman, eventually beating out senior Kevin Genoe and fellow freshman Jamie Phillips to earn a majority of the playing time for Michigan Tech. Copley registered a 3.222 GAA and .900 save percentage in 24 games played as a freshman.

This past season, Copley beat out Phillips, a Winnipeg prospect, for the majority of playing time in Tech's net, playing in 30 games and improving his numbers to 2.51 and .911, with a 10-13-6. Copley has prototypical pro size, listed at 6-3 175 lbs., and certainly put up some impressive performances in college, including 40-save performances at Notre Dame and at Michigan this past season. He'll likely need a few years in  the minor leagues to hone his game before he's a legitimate candidate to play for the Capitals at the NHL level.