ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired goaltender Vitek Vanecek from the Seattle Kraken for a second round draft pick (originally acquired from the Winnipeg Jets) in the 2023 NHL Draft, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

The Kraken selected Vanecek from the Capitals in the NHL Expansion Draft on July 21.

Vanecek, 25, made his NHL debut last season with the Capitals on Jan. 15 against the Buffalo Sabres. The 6’2”, 187-pound goaltender finished his rookie season with a 21-10-4 record, two shutouts, a 2.69 goals against average and a .908 save percentage, leading all rookie goaltenders in wins. The Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic, native became the second goaltender in franchise history to record 21 wins in his rookie season (Michal Neuvirth: 27 wins in 2010-11). Vanecek was named Rookie of the Month in January, becoming the fourth goaltender in franchise history to receive the honor (Neuvirth, Jim Carey and Bob Mason).