Capitals Add Veteran Goaltender Cal Petersen on Professional Tryout for Training Camp
The Washington Capitals are adding another experienced goaltender to the mix ahead of training camp.
Washington announced Tuesday that veteran netminder Cal Petersen will join the Capitals’ 2026 training camp on a professional tryout agreement. The move gives the organization another proven professional goalie to evaluate while adding competition and depth between the pipes.
Petersen, 31, spent the 2025-26 season with the Iowa Wild, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. He appeared in 33 games, posting a 13-16-2 record with a 2.73 goals-against average and an .896 save percentage.
While those numbers were not spectacular, Petersen brings something valuable to a training camp setting: NHL experience.
The Waterloo, Iowa native has appeared in 106 NHL games during his career with the Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers. Petersen owns a 46-44-10 career NHL record with a 2.96 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and four shutouts.
Petersen once held major role with Kings
Petersen was originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round, 129th overall, of the 2013 NHL Draft.
After three seasons at Notre Dame, Petersen signed with the Los Angeles Kings organization in 2017 and eventually worked his way into significant NHL playing time.
His biggest NHL workload came during the 2021-22 season.
Petersen appeared in 37 games for Los Angeles that year, making 35 starts and finishing 20-14-2 with a 2.89 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage.
At one point, Petersen appeared positioned to become a significant part of the Kings’ future in goal. His performance declined over the following seasons, however, and Los Angeles eventually moved him to Philadelphia as part of a three-team trade in June 2023.
Petersen made five appearances for the Flyers during the 2023-24 season, going 2-2-0 with a 3.90 goals-against average and .864 save percentage.
Those remain his most recent NHL appearances.
Two years primarily in the AHL
Petersen has spent the past two seasons playing primarily in the American Hockey League.
He appeared in 31 games for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2024-25 before signing a one-year contract with Minnesota in July 2025.
The Wild assigned Petersen to Iowa, where he provided veteran experience while working through an injury that caused him to miss approximately six weeks during the season.
Minnesota briefly recalled Petersen under emergency conditions in February, but he did not establish a regular role with the NHL club.
Washington is now giving him another opportunity.
A professional tryout does not guarantee Petersen a contract or roster spot. Instead, it allows him to participate in training camp and preseason games while Capitals management evaluates whether he fits into the organization’s plans.
If Petersen performs well, Washington could potentially sign him to an NHL or two-way contract before the regular season.
Capitals add another option in goal
The signing is especially interesting because Petersen gives Washington another veteran option beyond the organization’s established goaltending depth.
At 6-foot-1 and roughly 180 pounds, Petersen has accumulated more than 100 NHL appearances and more than 200 games in the AHL.
His career AHL numbers include a 3.10 goals-against average and .901 save percentage through his first 232 games entering last season. Petersen has also been selected to the AHL All-Star Game twice.
That experience could make him useful even if he does not ultimately make Washington’s NHL roster.
The Capitals have traditionally relied heavily on the Hershey Bears to develop players and provide organizational depth. A veteran goaltender capable of playing NHL games could give Washington additional insurance while also creating more competition throughout the organization.
Petersen’s addition does not necessarily indicate that Washington is unhappy with its existing goaltending situation. PTO agreements are relatively low-risk moves, particularly with experienced players.
Washington gets an extended evaluation during camp without immediately committing a contract slot.
Petersen gets an opportunity to prove that he can still play at the NHL level.
International success with Team USA
Petersen also brings significant international experience.
He has represented the United States at three IIHF World Championships, including an outstanding performance during the 2021 tournament.
Petersen went 5-2 with a 1.29 goals-against average, .953 save percentage and two shutouts while helping Team USA capture the bronze medal. He was named the tournament’s Best Goaltender.
He returned to the World Championship in 2023 and again performed well, going 3-0 with a 0.72 goals-against average and .956 save percentage in three games.
Before beginning his professional career, Petersen spent three seasons at Notre Dame from 2014-17. He appeared in 110 collegiate games and finished 55-39-15.
Petersen earned First-Team All-Hockey East honors during his junior season and was twice a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, presented annually to the top goaltender in NCAA men’s hockey.
What the PTO means for Washington
For the Capitals, this is exactly the type of move teams frequently make late in the offseason.
There is virtually no downside.
Washington gets an experienced goalie in camp who has played meaningful NHL games, handled significant workloads in the AHL and competed internationally.
Petersen gets another chance to earn his way back into the NHL.
His last NHL season was difficult, but his career body of work shows that he has been capable of providing quality goaltending at the highest level.
Washington will have several weeks to determine whether that ability is still there.
The Capitals begin their preseason schedule Sept. 20 against the Boston Bruins before opening the regular season Oct. 2 on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Petersen will now have training camp and potentially the preseason to make his case for a contract.
For a Capitals organization that values depth throughout its NHL and Hershey systems, bringing Petersen to camp is a sensible low-risk opportunity.
Whether it develops into something more will be one of the smaller but intriguing storylines to watch when Washington hits the ice for training camp.
Maryland Sports Blog will continue to follow the Capitals throughout training camp and the 2026-27 season.
