Travis Boyd/Special to the Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Washington Capitals have loaned goaltenders Clay Stevenson and Mitch Gibson as well as defenseman Ethan Bear to the Hershey Bears, it was announced Friday.
The transactions come after the Capitals were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.
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A 2018 fourth round pick of the Capitals, Gibson spent the majority of this past season in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays, putting up a record of 12-1-0 along with a 1.75 GAA and a .933 SP in 14 appearances. Gibson also got into one game with the Bears during the regular season, collecting the win as well as a 2.01 GAA and a .929 SP.
In his second season in the Capitals organization, Gibson has shown well during his brief time in the AHL, going 3-0 with a 1.94 GAA and a .920 SP.
Recently called up by the Capitals, Stevenson returns to the Bears where he spent almost the entire year in 2024-25. Over 33 regular season games, he put up a stat line of 18-8-5, a 2.94 GAA and a .888 SP. Stevenson made his NHL debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this season but gave up five goals in the loss.
A product of Regina, Sask., Bear spent the entire season with Hershey, scoring 10 goals and adding 36 assists for 46 points in 62 regular season games. A 2015 fifth round pick of the Edmonton Oilers, Bear has gotten into 275 career NHL regular season games, putting up 17 goals and 50 assists for 67 points.
With all three joining Hershey, Stevenson is the only one to have seen time during the playoffs for the Bears. Although it is unlikely that Gibson or Stevenson get into a game, Bear is a big addition for the backend and should be able to step in and be an immediate contributor once again.