For the second time in as many days, a player drafted by the Capitals, who has played every game of his pro career for the organization, has departed. This time it was the trade of Marcus Johansson who was traded to the New Jersey Devils for second and third round picks in next year’s NHL Entry Draft.
While the math of a seasoned first-rounder for two unknowns next year doesn’t really add up, there are some guys who went on to become great players who were later picks in the draft (Peter Bondra, Pavel Bure, Sergei Federov, Mark Messier, and Brett Hull to name a few). But that does nothing for the shock and disappointment some fans felt at the stunning departure of MoJo.
We asked our fans to tweet us their favorite memories of MoJo and one of the first things that is noticeable is that he was always the consummate professional with fans. A testament to that was at the practice following the birth of his child. MoJo did not “hide out” and park on a different level, he walked out to applause from the fans outside of Kettler. He could have just ignored the autograph requests and headed off to see his newborn, but instead he greeted everyone and signed away.
Of course, the most often mentioned memory is of him and his father on last year’s Dad’s Trip.
Capitals Trade Marcus Johansson to Devils https://t.co/55q1tkKHsQ We will miss you too, Lars 🙁 pic.twitter.com/FI5c6ti5AL
— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) July 3, 2017
Here are some other responses.
My favorite player since his first season. I got to meet him at Caps Casino Night and he could not have been more gracious. I’ll miss him! pic.twitter.com/hgqu0jxKWT
— Dana Ziegler (@danadaniello) July 3, 2017
Another Kettler memory made
Got my girlfriend into hockey, she went to opening night with me, and this is right before she picked MoJo as her player, because his smile pic.twitter.com/9RtOhLMvYN
— Emanuel Borja (@EmanuelBorja) July 3, 2017
Casino Night Part 2
Caps Casino night, i had a program & asked him to write in Swedish “Happy Birthday Jessica” for my friend who loved him. He obliged. pic.twitter.com/lwa57P8kbg
— Marge (@Margefro87) July 3, 2017
The Shrinking Bench
— ☈ Corey A. Ingles ☈ (@CapsWeatherKid) July 3, 2017
Trying to keep a straight face with Ovechkin around is tough…
— SantiaGO CAPS (@CapTerp17) July 3, 2017
The give-and-go
— Jake Steel (@JTSteel) July 3, 2017
MoJo autograph for the win
When I got to meet him at an autograph signing.So very shy and quiet and a really nice guy.
— TrinaMcdaniel (@TrinaMcdaniel52) July 3, 2017
Toronto series winner…
Go with most recent. Series clinching goal in OT bs Toronto.
— Ben Carroll (@BenCarroll15) July 3, 2017
Civil War Meme
Dearest Abigail,
We had made an advance, but I see now the battlefield is littered with horse dung. #CapitalsTalk pic.twitter.com/DYrNjlDFDJ
— CSN Capitals (@CSNCapitals) May 1, 2016
Thanks, MoJo. You’ve made girlfriends fall in love with hockey and warmed our hearts with OT series-winners. We wish you the best in New Jersey…except for #CapsDevils games.
By Julie Beidler
Follow @juliebeidler
Meme submitted by Jim Hall via Facebook
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