1. Home
  2. News
  3. Vitek Vanecek Wins In NHL Debut With Washington

Vitek Vanecek Wins In NHL Debut With Washington

Saturday, January 16th
Vitek Vanecek Wins In NHL Debut With Washington

Former South Carolina Stingrays' goaltender Vitek Vanecek made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Washington Capitals Friday, stopping 30 shots to secure a win over Buffalo in his first career start.

Vanecek is the 14th former Stingray to play for the Capitals, joining a list that includes Pheonix Copley, Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer.

The Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic native made his pro debut with South Carolina during the 2015-16 season, posting a record of 18-7-6 and four shutouts in 32 appearances. Vanecek ranked second in the ECHL with a 2.03 goals-against average and was named to the 2015-16 ECHL All-Rookie Team. He also saw action in two games with the Rays during the 2017-18 season.

A second-round selection (39th overall) of the Capitals in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Vanecek has made 141 career American Hockey League appearances with the Hershey Bears where he has gone 71-43-16 with 11 shutouts, a 2.59 goals-against average and a save percentage of .906. The netminder represented Hershey in the AHL All-Star Classic twice during 2019 and 2020, and was named the Most Valuable Player of last season’s event.

The Stingrays return to action on Saturday night when they battle the Greenville Swamp Rabbits at the North Charleston Coliseum at 6:05 p.m. SC also hosts Jacksonville on Monday for Kids Takeover Day with a special start time of 1:05 p.m.

Former SC Stingrays to play for the Washington Capitals:Pheonix CopleyAndrew GordonPhilipp GrubauerBraden HoltbyJonas JohanssonTyler LewingtonGarrett MitchellMichal NeuvirthGarret StrosheinJoey TenuteVitek VanecekNathan WalkerKyle Wilson

—To purchase single game tickets for all Stingrays home games, click here!

Season ticket plans are on sale now! For more information or to purchase, contact the Stingrays by phone at 843-744-2248 or submit this form.

For all the latest news and updates, follow the Stingrays on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Upcoming Home Games

Full Schedule
Norfolk Admirals
South Carolina Stingrays
Saturday, October 18th
Norfolk Admirals @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
6:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Norfolk Admirals
NOR Norfolk Admirals
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
South Carolina Stingrays
Wednesday, October 29th
Orlando Solar Bears @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
7:05 PM EDT
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
South Carolina Stingrays
Sunday, November 9th
Orlando Solar Bears @ South Carolina Stingrays
Puck Drops:
3:05 PM EST
North Charleston Coliseum
Orlando Solar Bears
ORL Orlando Solar Bears
at
South Carolina Stingrays
SC South Carolina Stingrays
North Charleston Coliseum

Latest News

More News
FORMER STINGRAYS DEFENSEMEN JON MCDONALD AND ANDREW PERROTT SERVING AS KEY CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE HERSHEY BEARS IN THE AHL PLAYOFFS
FORMER STINGRAYS DEFENSEMEN JON MCDONALD AND ANDREW PERROTT SERVING AS KEY CONTRIBUTORS FOR THE HERSHEY BEARS IN THE AHL PLAYOFFS
STINGRAYS ANNOUNCE 2025-26 SCHEDULE
STINGRAYS ANNOUNCE 2025-26 SCHEDULE
GOALTENDERS GARIN BJORKLUND AND SETH EISELE JOIN HERSHEY BEARS
GOALTENDERS GARIN BJORKLUND AND SETH EISELE JOIN HERSHEY BEARS

Get Hockey Updates

Sign up for our email newsletter to be the first to know about news and upcoming games!