Apr 18, 2015 1 min read

Washington is one step closer to having a native in the NHL.

Riley Barber, 21, who was born in Washington and lived in the city until his family moved to Michigan in 2007, has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals. The deal is effective beginning with the 2015-16 season.

Barber is currenmtly sidelined with a knee injury but will be with the Capitals for training camp in September.

A sixth-round draft pick in 2012, Barber recently completed his junior season at Miami of Ohio University, finishing with a career-high 20 goals in 38 games.

Barber recorded a point in 30 games for the Redhawks but suffered the injury during the National Collegiate Hockey Conference tournament championship against St. Cloud State. He did not play in Miami’s 7-5 loss to Providence in the NCAA East Regional semifinals.

Barber was the U.S. team’s captain for the IIHF World Junior Championships in Sweden, tallying six points in five games.

Before the season, NHL.com ranked Barber the 48th best prospect overall and No. 4 in the Capitals’ organization.