Capitals sign defenseman Josh Godfrey

ABRIDGED NEWS RELEASE

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

************************* ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Josh Godfrey to a three-year entry-level contract, Vice President and General Manager George McPhee announced today.

In keeping with club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Godfrey, 19, was the Capitals' second-round choice, 34th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Currently in his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Godfrey ranks third among OHL defensemen in goals (seven) and tied for seventh in points (17) through 18 games with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

His six power-play goals lead the team and rank tied for 10th in the league.

Godfrey represented Canada in the 2007 Canada/Russia Super Series prior to attending Capitals training camp this fall.

A 6'0", 197-pound native of Collingwood, Ontario, Godfrey led all OHL defensemen with 24 goals in 2006-07, finishing third on the Greyhounds with 57 points.

He earned the team's Mike Desjardins Memorial Trophy as its top defensive player and represented the OHL in the 2006 Canada-Russia Challenge.

He was selected to play in the OHL All-Star Game and recorded the hardest shot at the skills competition (99.3 miles per hour).

*************************