Vitek Vanecek named NHL Rookie of the Month for January originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek was awarded NHL Rookie of the Month honors for January, prompting a series of cheers from his teammates when head coach Peter Laviolette informed them at practice Tuesday.
Vanecek was thrust into a starting role in mid-January when fellow rookie Ilya Samsonov was among the Capitals’ players who were forced to quarantine after breaking COVID-19 protocols. He posted a 5-0-2 record with a .918 save percentage (20 goals allowed) on 243 shot attempts during the month.
Not even expected to be in the NHL this year, Vanecek made the Capitals’ roster after a heart condition requiring surgery prevented Henrik Lundqvist from playing this season. Samsonov, a former first-round pick and the NHL’s top goalie prospect, entered the season as the team’s presumptive No. 1 goalie.
However, Vanecek’s strong play has helped him build a case to be a significant part of the rotation moving forward. After spending five years in the minors, the 25-year-old Czech goalie finally has his opportunity and is making the most of it.
