The Capitals Media Wall of Fame made its debut Tuesday night at the Verizon Center. The wall pays tribute to members of the media who dedicated themselves to the Washington Capitals.

The wall commemorates current Comcast favorites Joe Beninati, Al Koken and Craig Laughlin as well as long term Capitals beat reporters John Beamer, Robert Fachet, Dave Fay, and Ron Weber. Beamer served as press box announcer for more than three decades, keeping reporters and media members abreast of penalties, scoring and other game details. Fachet covered the Capitals for the Washington Post from the franchise’s first game on October 9, 1974 until he left the Capitals beat in 1989. Fay covered the Capitals for the Washington Times for 26 years. Weber as the franchise’s first radio play-by-play announcer, a role he filled for more than 23 years and nearly 2,000 consecutive games.

Comcast’s current cast of personalities includes Beninati, Koken and Laughlin, all honored on the wall of fame. Emmy award winning Beninati has served as the Capitals play by play announcer since the 1994-1995 season when he joined current color analyst and former Capitals hockey great Craig Laughlin on air for Comcast. Capitals fans for their playful on-air banter and commentary revere the duo, together now for more than 20 years.

Together these media greats have made sure that Washington Capitals fans are informed about Capitals happenings on and off the ice. They have become icons to fans and beloved for the devotion and dedication that they have showed to the Capitals.

By Stephanie Judge