Photo: NHL via Getty Images
On a night in which the Capitals welcomed back Stanley Cup-winning bench boss Barry Trotz with a video tribute during the first period of Friday night’s game against the New York Islanders, the team also honored defenseman Brooks Orpik before the game for playing in his 1,000th game against the St. Louis Blues several days ago.
The team honored the veteran blueliner with a four-minute video tribute, which featured videos of congratulations by former Pittsburgh Penguins (with whom Orpik played 11 seasons) teammates Sidney Crosby, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Deryk Engelland (the latter two now with the Vegas Golden Knights), Orpik’s college Head Coach Jerry Brown, Trotz, Capitals Head Coach Todd Reirden, several of his current teammates, former Capitals teammate Jay Beagle, and his two daughters, Harlow and Brooklyn, among others.
A fitting salute to an amazing player and even better person.
Congrats on 1,000 games, Brooks!#ALLCAPS #Orp1k pic.twitter.com/LuRK0cAzb8
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 19, 2019
The Capitals also presented Orpik with a trip to a resort in Canyon Point, Utah, courtesy of his teammates, and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and Team President Dick Patrick presented Orpik with a silver stick and Tiffany Crystal.
As classy as he is tough, Brooks Orpik honored for game #1,000 in the #NHL. Well done , Brooks. Keep bringing everything you’ve brought to the #DMV both on and off the ice. pic.twitter.com/av1uCQNJzF
— Al Koken (@RealSmokinAl) January 19, 2019
Orpik is playing in his 299th career game with the Caps, and has recorded four goals and 56 points (with two periods left to play in the game against New York), while providing a strong, stay-at-home presence the team had desperately needed for some time prior to his arrival.
The full ceremony:
By Michael Fleetwood
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