NAPHL alum Hofer signs NHL contract with Capitals

Ryan Hofer played in the NAPHL for two and a half seasons, totaling 40 games.

The Washington Capitals have signed forward and NAPHL grad Ryan Hofer to a three-year entry level contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced. Hofer's contract will carry an average annual value of $851,666.67 (NHL) and $82,500 in the AHL.

The Capitals selected Hofer, 20, with the 181st overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 6'3", 192-pound forward has recorded 58 points (36g, 22a) in 53 games with the Kamloops Blazers and Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season. Hofer, who was traded from Everett to Kamloops on Jan. 8, ranks seventh in the WHL in goals, third in faceoff wins (706) and shots (238) and eighth in penalty minutes (94).

The Headingley, Manitoba native registered a WHL career-high 58 points (25g, 33a) in 67 games with Everett in 2021-22. Hofer ranked sixth on Everett in points and second in penalty minutes (84) during the regular season and ranked tied for first on the team in playoff scoring with 10 points (6g, 4a) in six games.

In 142 career WHL games with Kamloops and Everett, Hofer has recorded 125 points (67g, 58a).

Hofer played in the NAPHL for two and a half seasons for the Pursuit of Excellence 18U and 16U teams from 2017-20. In 40 career NAPHL regular season games, he recorded 26 points.