Capitals Sign Brian Pinho

The Washington Capitals have signed forward Brian Pinho to a two-year entry-level contract beginning this season, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Pinho's contract will carry an average annual value of $833,750 and he will report to the Capitals today.
The Capitals selected Pinho in the sixth round, 174th overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Pinho, 22, recorded 32 points (12g, 20a) in 40 games with Providence College in his senior season, making Pinho, who captained the Friars this season, the second-highest goal scorer at Providence College. Pinho also recorded eight multi-point games, assisted on five game-winning goals and went on a six-game point streak (Nov. 11-Dec. 1: 3g, 5a) for the Friars this season. Pinho was named as Hockey East's Best Defensive Forward and was named to the Third All Star Team.

The North Andover, Mass. native finished his NCAA career with 115 points (39g, 76a) in 156 games. In his junior season, the 6'1", 191-pound forward led Providence with 40 points (12g, 28a), and his 28 assists were the most by a Friar since the 2002-03 season. Pinho recorded 25 points (9g, 16a) in his sophomore season, recording six multi-point games. In his 2014-15 freshman season, Pinho led all Providence freshmen with 18 points (6g, 12a) and was named as the team's Most Outstanding Freshman. Pinho recorded two points (1g, 1a) in four NCAA Tournament games en route to a NCAA Championship, Providence's first-ever hockey championship.

Pinho played in 59 games for the Indiana Ice in the USHL in the 2013-14 season, tied for sixth in goals (28) and 15th in points (56) in the USHL. Pinho scored the game-winning goal in Game 5 of the USHL Clark Cup Final against the Waterloo Black Hawks, earning Indiana their second Clark Cup in franchise history. A product St. John's Prep High School in Massachusetts, Pinho recorded 93 points (32g, 61a) in 45 games in two seasons from 2011 to 2013.