As the regular season of hockey quickly approaches, the Washington Capitals have had quite a week! Between heading back home to the DC area, adjusting to new team dynamics, and a handful of signature Capitals antics, the boys are back, busy, and better than ever.
Ovechkin is back, baby!
The morning after Labor Day, the Capitals held their largest informal skate as more and more players are returning to Washington after summers spent elsewhere. Among the growing crowd of first-time skaters such as TJ Oshie, Dylan Strome, and Nic Dowd was none other than captain and star Alexander Ovechkin, who had just flown in from his summer in Russia the weekend prior. He was all smiles as he took the ice, clearly happy to be back at his home away from home! Expect to see more and more players at informal skates in the coming days, as training camp starts on September 21st.
Brian MacLellan Promoted
General Manager (GM) Brian MacLellan has been promoted to president of hockey operations in addition to his position of GM. MacLellan has been with the Capitals as general manager since 2014 and previously held various other roles within the organization. His influence has led Washington to a 409-213-77 record, including their 2018 Stanley Cup victory. Eight of the players who took the ice in the Capitals cup-clinching victory game were added to the team by MacLellan, and among them were three of the four players who scored to secure the victory (Jakub Vrana, Devante Smith-Pelly, and Lars Eller). Two other Capitals staff members were promoted as well. Chris Patrick, assistant general manager of player personnel, was promoted to associate manager. His father, Dick Patrick, was appointed to the position of chairman in addition to his roles as president and part-owner. The organization and fan base seem optimistic about these moves– hopefully, they play out well!
Vincent Iorio
This upcoming season, Vincent Iorio will be seen on the ice wearing a different number. Iorio willingly changed his number from six to two out of respect for newly acquired teammate Joel Edmundson. Edmundson most recently wore number 44 with the Canadiens but prefers six, as he wore it with both the Blues and Hurricanes. Vincent Iorio showed great respect and admiration for Edmundson and his veteran presence on the team, stating, “he’s played 800 games. He’s a hell of a hockey player. And I like number two. Yeah, I’m happy with 2.”. Iorio will be the 19th player in franchise history to wear number two.
While Vincent Iorio is clearly a respectable teammate and reliable player on the ice, he may need a little bit of development in the “adulting” department. The defensemen won the Calder Cup with the AHL’s Hershey Bears this past season and should have had a fun day celebrating and partying with the trophy. However, the 20-year-old simply forgot to fill out the necessary paperwork. “I actually never had [a day with the Cup]. Apparently, there was a form we were supposed to fill out,” Iorio said, eliciting laughter from the media. He seemed good-natured about the miscue and was happy to see other teammates getting to celebrate their way. Maybe this season will give him another chance to win a trophy and celebrate the way he’s supposed to!
Extracurriculars in Washington
The Washington Capitals are no strangers to shenanigans and silliness, and this week has brought a handful of fun examples.
Something is brewing in Backstromland! Nicklas Backstrom has collaborated with Northern Virginia’s Eavesdrop Brewery to create a hazy IPA dubbed “Swede-ist Assist.” It has a 7.5 percent ABV and will be debuted at a release party at the brewery in Manassas on Saturday, September 9th. Backstrom will be in attendance, and a portion of sales will go toward the NB19 Assist Scholarship Fund for youth hockey players at The St. James Fitness Facility. Nick joins teammates Evgeny Kuznetsov, Garnet Hathaway, and Craig Laughlin as players with brews.
Ch-ch-ch-chia! The Washington Capitals released their 2023-2024 promo schedule. Some of the highlights include a bucket hat, beer stein, dog bowl, beanies, and cowboy hats. However, one promotional giveaway takes the cake in the minds of Capitals fans– the Sonny Milano chia pet planter. Yep, you read that right! You, too, can grow Sonny’s iconic curls in your own home.
Yee-hockey! TJ Oshie rocked the red and sported his best country-inspired look as he and his wife, Lauren, took on the Morgan Wallen concert recently. He was all smiles in the photo, and fans quickly pointed out the “authenticity” of the look, noticing his farmer’s tan. “TJ, well done! Very method! U even added the farmers tan!!!” user @redarizona13 replied. The couple was joined by the Backstrom, Carlson, and Jensen couples– clearly, the Capitals have a love of country music! Keep on being authentically you, Oshie.
The Capitals seem to be making beneficial team-related moves and enjoying the last of their summers before the pre-season kicks into high gear. Stay tuned to Inside the Rink for weekly Capitals updates all season long!
