He’s played for the Big Green, South Carolina Stingrays, and Hershey Bears. The next stop for Stevenson? The Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. For now, he’s happy in Hershey, Pennsylvania, working his way through the minor leagues. “I need to take care of business where my feet are,” says the goaltender. “All in due time.” Last fall, two years after leaving school to join the Capitals’ system, the standout signed a three-year contract worth $2.3 million. He played in the American Hockey League all-star game in January and leads the league in shutouts. 

At first he wasn’t sure what to do when NHL offers came his way. “It took months of talking to people, my parents, my agent, coaches, and friends. It went heavy on me for a long time,” he says. The Capitals—led by owner/president Dick Patrick ’68—felt like a great fit. “It was the right choice, so I’m definitely very happy,” says Stevenson. The Alberta, Canada, native never declared a major but hopes to finish his education once hockey takes its course.

“Clay is as athletic a goalie as I have ever been around,” says Dartmouth coach Reid Cashman. “His size and explosiveness in the net make him so effective. And he’s ultra-competitive. We are excited to watch him on his journey.”