Alex Ovechkin Named Capitals Captain
by J.P. on Jan 5, 2010 6:30 PM EST
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Big pre-game news, as the Capitals have made Alex Ovechkin the 14th captain in team history, filling the void left when Chris Clark was traded to Columbus.
Is it the "right" choice? Well, we'll put it this way - if Ovechkin fully understands all that is expected of an NHL captain and still wants the captaincy, not giving it to him would have most definitely been the wrong choice.
And now that that's taking care of... lead us, AO Captain! My Captain!
Update: Quotes on the new captain, via the team:
"Our team has adopted Alex’s personality, and the energy, passion and drive to win that are his hallmarks have become our team’s as well. He sets the tone, on the ice as well as off. He’s respectful to everyone and a great ambassador for our team and our sport. We look forward to him leading the Washington Capitals for a long time." – George McPhee
"Alex is a great player and a great choice for captain. He is the best player in the NHL and I love his combination of skill and physical play. He finishes his checks and hits hard." – Former Capitals captain Dale Hunter
"I think he’s got all the qualities you look for in a captain, and to see that in someone so young is incredible. He’s been a leader since he’s been here, and he leads by example. If he gets upset, you can see him start to take over a game. There’s no doubt he’s deserving." – Former Capitals captain Yvon Labre
"He’s the best player in the world and he’s the face of the franchise. Plus he’s a great teammate. The Caps organization should feel proud to name him captain." – Former Capitals captain and current Tampa Bay Lightning center Jeff Halpern
"Ovechkin is a truly magical player on the ice, a creative, thoughtful individual who cannot wait to share his triumphs with teammates, a player who seems destined to lead his club to lofty heights with his passion for the game and devotion to it." – The late Dave Fay, The Hockey News, Oct. 4, 2005
"What makes him so special is the fact that he’s a great team player. He works hard. He makes hits. He blocks shots. He gives pep talks to his teammates. And on top of all that, he’s an awesomely skilled player. He has great speed and hands. He’s a big guy who can stand his ground. He knows how to play every aspect of the game." – Chicago Blackhawks scout Sakari Pietila in the Washington Times, Oct. 5, 2005
"Those are things you don't teach. Those are the kind of things that are in the belly of a guy. That’s what makes him special. When he scores, look at his facial expressions. That comes from inside and that’s why he’s a special player. He has great skill and is really determined." – Then-Florida Panthers head coach Jacques Martin, Miami Herald, Dec. 1, 2005
"I think [the Caps] are approaching it the right way. You can see them coming together as a team. To start becoming successful you need to do it as a team. Even the young kid [Alex Ovechkin], some guys may think he just goes it about his own way, [but] you can see him buying into the team concept. That's the key." – Then-Tampa Bay head coach John Tortorella, Oct. 28, 2005
"A great team guy. He really has a lot of passion about wanting the team to do well. He’s very hungry to score goals, but he doesn’t do it in a way where it’s just about him." – Former teammate Jeff Friesen, Calgary Herald, Oct. 30, 2006
"We have this world-class, once-in-a-generation player whose personality is becoming the personality of the team, which is: ‘I can try anything. I can do anything.’" – Ted Leonsis, Associated Press, Oct. 3, 2006
"He’s certainly the kind of guy a team and league wants to stand behind because he never does anything wrong. He’s a 21-year-old kid who … always does the right thing. He respects the game, respects teammates, respects the referees." – George McPhee, Vancouver Sun, Oct. 27, 2006
"He dove head first into everything we were doing. He wanted to room with a North American guy so he could learn the language and the culture quicker. I think that helped in the way he played last year because he was comfortable right out of the gate. The rest of the team fed off his energy." – Olie Kolzig, Globe and Mail, Oct. 27, 2006
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The inevitable occurs?
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:31 PM EST reply actions
Does inevitability general warrant a question mark?
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Meh. Too lazy. I’m guessing Poti and Knuble are alternate captains, or they give those to someone else?
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Tom Poti sucks.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
by Rob Parker on Jan 5, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well he does tend to have an “A” on his chest for some odd reason. They should just give that A to Laich or something, maybe move Knuble’s A
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
For tonight, at least, he most definitely did not suck.
by mechanicsville on Jan 6, 2010 12:26 AM EST up reply actions
The only choice that could be made. Congratulations to Ovie and the organization.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 5, 2010 6:32 PM EST reply actions
#needsmorebradley
/excuses himself
"I know it holds 17 1/2 beers."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 5, 2010 6:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Already an image of him was shown on TV during warm ups. It looked really weird, truth be told.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Didn’t he wear it a bit last year when Clark was out? Or was I hallucinating?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 5, 2010 6:46 PM EST up reply actions
That was preseason
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Hallucinating.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
thanks, I need to keep track of that.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 5, 2010 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
Interesting
This is surely a long-term captaincy, so hopefully it works out. Not sure this was the right choice, but.
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
Follow me on Twitter
OK, I can fill in that blank space on my jersey now.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
So when do we trade Ovie?
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
In the year 2026, to allow Ovie to retire with the team he started with after Dynamo Moscow is admitted to the NHL.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 5, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
And the west coast thinks there travel is bad now...
That would be a hellish commute
They laughed at Columbus, they laughed at Fulton, they laughed at the Wright brothers. But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown.
I wondered how long it would take for someone to say that.
"The Caps fan doesn't say, 'is the glass half full' or 'is the glass half empty'. He wonders when the glass is going to spill."
Who wears the A"s for the Caps?
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
Follow me on Twitter
You only use 2 A’s. Also, I see 27 and 19 as the long term A’s.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Alzner has no buisiness wearing an A for a long time.
Backstrom definitely however, the other going Laich/Green.
People are stupid, a person is smart. This leads me to believe there must be at least one smart hockey fan in Philly.
Alzner has no business wearing an A for a long time.
Why not? It’s not like he hasn’t been in a leadership role before.
"I know it holds 17 1/2 beers."
by Bald Pollack on Jan 5, 2010 11:59 PM EST up reply actions
Some teams have multiple A’s like Detroit: Zetterberg, Draper and Datsyuk are all Alternates, but only two of the three will be wearing the A’s in game
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:45 PM EST up reply actions
Technically I think Morrison has also had an A on for us, even on nights when two of the other guys (AO, Knuble, and Poti) have been in the lineup.
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 5, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Some teams have 4 alternates, and just rotate them on a home/away basis like Edmonton
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I know. Wasn’t there a time when Minnesota rotated this stuff like, every game?
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 5, 2010 6:53 PM EST up reply actions
It was a monthly rotating captaincy, last time i remember who they had was Rolston (before he left) and Koivu as alternates and someone else as the captain
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
i think it’s only supposed to be 2 A’s.
of course, the canucks are an exception, because technically luongo is our captain but he isn’t allowed to negotiate with officials on the ice, so we have a 3rd A to make up for that.
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
Or if you don’t have a captain, you get three alternates
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:47 PM EST up reply actions
that makes sense.
besides, luongo isn’t allowed to wear the C on his jersey.
check out my blog at canuckpuckbunny.blogspot.com
"If Chuck Norris was up against 7 Rangers, he'd call Ryan Kesler."
GO CANUCKS GO!
that’s because goalies aren’t officially recognized as captains
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 5, 2010 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
Cool quick-on-the-draw quotes on Ovi
Reminds me of going behind the scenes at CNN visiting a friend who worked there a couple of years ago. They have a whole vault of video eulogies for famous old people ready to play the moment they die. I forget the cool/morbid name they have for it.
Congrats, Ovi. Reminds me of the “Ovi calling from Russia to welcome Knuble to the Caps story.” Nice touch to have the former captains weighing in.
May says that your best player should always be your captain.
Now let's say you and I go toe to toe on bird law and see who comes out the victor.
Why else was Luongo named captain last year?
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
Because Vancouver, like many teams, awards Captain’s C for show?
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
Then again, if every team named captains for being the team’s best player, I’m sure Martin Brodeur would’ve been the captain of the Devils instead of Langenbrunner
Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Jan 5, 2010 6:51 PM EST up reply actions
May can say what he wants, but I disagree.
Familiar Rapports: Bald Pollack, F&B, Gould Old Days.
Lobbies: Osala, Perreault, Erskine, Pothier, Neuvirth, Flash.
Fan of: Mean Lars Backstrom, Line Mashing, Cake.
so do I.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Jan 5, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
So will this be the GDT or do we migrate back?
I also like jumping out of tall buildings.
http://twitter.com/sasanmousavi <-- My two cents.
Just so there’s no confusion, per @washcaps:
Knuble and Poti, who have been alternate captains along with Ovi since the start of the season, are wearing A’s tonight
by sixsevenfiftysix on Jan 5, 2010 7:01 PM EST reply actions
booo…. sorry just got online so i didnt see the A’s were posted…. i kind of figured ovie’s A would go straight to laich but what do i know.
im not anti-poti per se… but really?
Is it the “right” choice? Well, we’ll put it this way – if Ovechkin fully understands all that is expected of an NHL captain and still wants the captaincy, not giving it to him would have most definitely been the wrong choice.
Definitely the best way to put it. I think this was clearly the right choice for the Caps, and I think it will be a positive for Ovie as well. Time will tell, I guess. As Ovie said, the players have to pick the captain, and if he wants it and they want it, who are we to disagree?
by grapejoos on Jan 5, 2010 7:05 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Really nice piece here, JP. Lazy way out would have been just to link to the news or quote Tarik. A little more effort to write a few paragraphs of what it means to you. But the way you did it here — taking the time to research the quotes and pull the right ones — well, it really makes it special and brings home the significance of this. Thanks.
And like many, the Dave Fay quote really stands out. Somewhere, between the Ovechkin news and this writeup of it, Fay’s shade has reason to smile for the first time in a year that has begun bitterly for his legacy.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
And JP gave credit:
Update: Quotes on the new captain, via the team:
Just a reading fail by me. Looks like a Nate Ewell special.
Atta dinnin stick a who!
by Gould Old Days on Jan 6, 2010 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
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