Washington Capitals Goalie Leaves North America After Ten Years to Sign in the KHL
PUBLICATION
TJ Tucker
June 5, 2023 (10:27)
Despite the fact that he's still taking part in the AHL playoffs, journeyman goaltender Zach Fucale has apparently already made his decision on where he's playing next season. Alexei Volkov, General Manager of the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk, told Sport24.ru a deal with Fucale is already in place.
"He's a Skilled Goalie"
"We negotiated with the Canadian goalie. He's playing in the AHL conference finals right now. We wait until his season is over and then we can officially announce the signing. But it's not such a big mystery anymore: we're talking about Zach Fucale. He's a skilled goalie who has been considering continuing his career in the KHL for a long time. Here he wants to find new motivation for himself, to raise his level of play. As soon as he finishes playing for Hershey, and we get permission from Washington to announce an agreement before July 1, when his contract expires, we will make an official announcement." - Alexei Volkov
Fucale is technically under contract with the Washington Capitals, but spent all of the 2022-23 regular season in the AHL with the Hershey Bears. He played 38 games, posting a 21-11-4 record with a 2.54 goals against average and a save percentage of .902. However, Fucale has played just one game for Hersey in the post season as the team awaits the winner of another series to determine who they will face in the AHL finals.
The Reasoning
While Fucale has not said why he's decided to leave the NHL system, several other older players who have left the AHL system for the KHL have cited the developmental nature of the AHL as a reason for leaving. Unlike the KHL, the AHL will sit veterans to ensure the development of younger players, even if it means the team is weaker because of it.
| POLL |
JUIN 5 | 160 ANSWERS Washington Capitals Goalie Leaves North America After Ten Years to Sign in the KHL Will Fucale be a top netminder in the KHL? |
| Yes | 61 | 38.1 % |
| No | 44 | 27.5 % |
| Not sure | 55 | 34.4 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
|
Feb 28 | By Tom Banks Vancouver Canucks' Contract Offer to Brock Boeser Leaks Publicly |
|
Feb 28 | By Tom Banks Montreal Canadiens Star Undergoes Season-Ending Knee Surgery |
|
Feb 28 | By Daniel Lucente Philadelphia Flyers Officially Looking to Trade Former 39-Goal Scorer |
|
Feb 28 | By Daniel Lucente Evander Kane May Be in His Final Days in Edmonton After Friedman Reveals New Information |
|
Feb 28 | By Jack Sutherland Maple Leafs Forward Pulls Back Trade Request |
|
Feb 27 | By Jack Sutherland Brad Marchand Goes Viral for Passionate Video Ahead of Four Nations Faceoff Final |
|
Feb 27 | By Jack Sutherland David Pastrnak's Latest Comments Suggest Bruins Will Be Big Sellers at the Deadline |
|
Feb 27 | By Julien Trekker 6-Foot-6 Winger Linked to the New York Rangers at the Trade Deadline |
