Clay Stevenson Bio
Clay Stevenson is a Canadian ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on March 3, 1999, in Drayton Valley, Alberta, Stevenson rose through junior hockey in British Columbia before earning a place at Dartmouth College. He is recognized as one of the top goaltending prospects in the Washington Capitals system, having set multiple franchise records during his rookie AHL season with the Hershey Bears.
Early Life and Background
Clay Stevenson was born on March 3, 1999, in Drayton Valley, Alberta. He grew up alongside one older sister and one younger sister, and his parents separated when he was young. When he was 16, Stevenson relocated to Chilliwack, British Columbia, with his mother, Holly Stevenson, a paramedic who supported his hockey ambitions throughout his childhood.
Holly Stevenson, who endured years of mental health struggles, died by suicide in September 2019. Clay has publicly credited his mother for instilling the work ethic that shaped his hockey career, calling her his inspiration to one day play in the NHL. In a tribute to her service as a paramedic, Stevenson features a Star of Life on the back of his goalie mask, along with his nickname, “Mud,” on the front.
Path to Hockey
Stevenson began his competitive hockey career with U15 hockey for the Brazeau Parkland Selects before moving to the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) to play for the 100 Mile House Wranglers. Across 25 games with the Wranglers, he posted a 3.12 goals-against average (GAA) and a .907 save percentage, and he was selected to play in the KIJHL’s Top Prospects Game.
For the 2017–18 season, Stevenson transitioned to the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), joining the Coquitlam Express. After a difficult first season in which he won just four games, he steadily improved over the next two years. His breakout came in 2019–20, when he posted a 30–2 record, led the league with a 1.77 GAA and a .936 save percentage, and helped the Express claim the Ron Boileau Memorial Trophy as BCHL regular-season champions. He was named a First Team All-Star, Top Goaltender, and a member of the BCHL’s Top Goaltending Duo that year. He was unable to play in the playoffs due to an NCAA eligibility rule prohibiting junior hockey participation after turning 21.
Clay Stevenson Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
During his three seasons with the Coquitlam Express from 2017 to 2021, Stevenson transformed from a raw prospect into one of the BCHL’s premier goaltenders. His 30-win 2019–20 campaign established him as a top collegiate recruit and set the stage for his commitment to Dartmouth College.
Stevenson joined Dartmouth for the 2020–21 season, but did not appear in any games as a freshman because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He made his collegiate debut on October 30, 2021, against UConn, stopping 34 of 36 shots. He earned his first collegiate win a week later against Colgate, and notched his first shutout against Yale on February 12, 2022. He finished his lone college season with a 6–14 record, a 2.70 GAA, and a .922 save percentage, earning All-Ivy First Team honors, All-ECAC Hockey Third Team recognition, and Dartmouth’s team MVP award.
Washington Capitals Organization Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Following his sophomore year at Dartmouth, the Washington Capitals signed Stevenson to a two-year entry-level contract worth $1.85 million on March 28, 2022. He spent most of the 2022–23 season with the Capitals’ ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays, where he believed the workload was ideal for his continued growth.
Stevenson made his ECHL debut on November 5, 2022, stopping 38 of 40 shots in a 4–2 win over the Atlanta Gladiators, and recorded his first ECHL shutout on December 3 against the Savannah Ghost Pirates. He was named ECHL Goaltender of the Week for November 28 – December 4 after posting a 0.50 GAA and a .984 save percentage across two wins. He finished the year 19–12–3 with a 2.54 GAA and a .916 save percentage in the regular season, and added a 2–1–2 playoff record. He also made three appearances for the Hershey Bears, going 3–0 with a 1.96 GAA and a .924 save percentage.
Hershey Bears Era (2023–Present)
The Capitals called Stevenson up for NHL opening night in October 2023, though he did not see game action at the NHL level. Instead, he split his first full AHL season backing up Hunter Shepard for the Hershey Bears. The Capitals rewarded his progress with a three-year, $2.325 million contract extension in December 2023.
Stevenson finished 2023–24 with a 24–10–2 record, a 2.06 GAA (second in the AHL), and a .922 save percentage. He tied the Hershey Bears franchise record for shutouts while setting the team’s rookie record with seven shutouts, which also led all AHL goaltenders. He set a new Bears mark for GAA, surpassing Pheonix Copley’s 2.17 from 2014–15. He was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for December 2023 and joined teammates Ethen Frank and Dylan McIlrath at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic. Combined with Shepard, his 11 shutouts set a Hershey Bears record, and the duo received the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award for the lowest team GAA in the AHL. Hershey won its second consecutive Calder Cup that spring.
Stevenson made his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals on April 17, 2025, facing the Pittsburgh Penguins. He allowed five goals on 38 shots in a 2–5 defeat, though Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery described his performance as “fantastic.”
Playing Style and Strengths
Stevenson is regarded as a technically sound, positionally disciplined goaltender with strong rebound control. His poise and efficient movement have allowed him to handle high shot volumes, while his ability to log consistent starts at the AHL level has accelerated his development into a reliable NHL backup option.
Notable Events and Milestones
Stevenson’s 2019–20 BCHL season with a 30–2 record remains a signature achievement, as does his 2023–24 rookie campaign in which he set Hershey Bears records for shutouts and GAA. His NHL debut with the Washington Capitals in April 2025 marked the realization of a career goal inspired by his late mother.
Clay Stevenson Career Wins
Clay Stevenson’s verified professional wins include standout seasons at every level of his development. He captured the BCHL regular-season championship with the Coquitlam Express in 2019–20, anchored the South Carolina Stingrays’ crease during the 2022–23 ECHL season, and emerged as a championship-caliber AHL goaltender with the Hershey Bears.
Hershey Bears Highlights
During the 2023–24 AHL season, Stevenson posted 24 regular-season wins and helped the Hershey Bears capture the Calder Cup. He was recognized as AHL Goaltender of the Month for December 2023, appeared in the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic, and shared the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award with Hunter Shepard.
Other Wins and Performances
With the South Carolina Stingrays in 2022–23, Stevenson won 19 regular-season games and added two more victories in five playoff appearances. Earlier, he was a 30-game winner for the Coquitlam Express in 2019–20, leading the BCHL in GAA and save percentage.
Clay Stevenson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Stevenson grew up in Drayton Valley, Alberta, with one older sister and one younger sister. His mother, Holly Stevenson, was a paramedic who supported his hockey training from childhood and is widely credited as the driving force behind his career. Holly died by suicide in September 2019, and Clay has spoken publicly about her enduring influence on his path to professional hockey.
Personal Life
Stevenson’s personal life remains largely private. He honors his late mother with a Star of Life emblem on the back of his goalie mask, alongside his nickname “Mud” on the front. He continues to build his professional career in the Washington Capitals organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Clay Stevenson’s transition to the NHL level with the Washington Capitals. He made his NHL debut on April 17, 2025, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, stopping 33 of 38 shots in a 2–5 loss that drew praise from head coach Spencer Carbery for his poise under NHL pressure.
Throughout the season, Stevenson split time between the Hershey Bears and the Capitals, providing organizational depth at the goaltending position. His AHL production remained strong, and his ability to step into NHL action reflected the developmental work done in Hershey.
Looking ahead, Stevenson is positioned to compete for a more permanent role with the Washington Capitals as he continues to refine his craft. With multiple seasons remaining on his contract and a championship pedigree from the Hershey Bears, his 2025 performance signals the arrival of a long-anticipated NHL career.