As first reported by The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, former Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green will be retiring from the NHL after 15 seasons in the league.
In making the decision, Green cited a “new perspective on life” gained from the COVID pandemic and a renewed desire to focus on his family and community:
Green started his career with the Capitals before moving to the Detroit Red Wings, playing for 10 seasons as a prototypical offensive-defenseman and making 2 All-Star Game appearances. With the Caps, Green finished runner-up to the Norris trophy twice, sparking considerable debate about the true value of offensive-defensemen.
That noxious debate aside, Green had several legendary moments as a Capital, including his 8-game goal scoring streak:
Although Green struggled with injuries later on, he still provided a memorable moment in 2013, scoring an OT winner against the New York Rangers:
Whether it was his “faux-hawk” hairstyle, his hand tattoos, or his dynamic skating and skill, Green left a considerable mark on the Capitals franchise.