After conducting their exit interviews following their first round playoff exit in April, many of the Capitals’ players and staff have returned home or are enjoying vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the DMV. Pending unrestricted free agent defenseman Brooks Orpik. however, is still in the area and while his future with the Caps and as a player (he’s 38) remains uncertain, the veteran blueliner spent the first day of June helping fans, team Spirit Squad members, and mascot Slapshot do some maintenance of Fort DuPont Ice Arena in D.C.
Among the many tasks Orpik and Co. were required to do was to help repaint the parking line parking lines and other markers, pull weeds, clean mats and rink glass and boards among other maintenance duties to help improve the looks of Fort DuPont Ice Arena, which is accepting donations to conduct needed renovations, an effort the Capitals are helping with.
Today @capitals fans joined alternate captain Brooks Orpik, @Caps_Slapshot and @capsspiritsquad members Taylor and Steven to get Fort Dupont Ice Arena (@FriendsofFDIA) ready for the season. Volunteers painted, weeded, cleaned the boards and glass and mats + more! #SaveOurRink pic.twitter.com/mykmfnWUi0
— MSE Foundation (@MSEFndn) June 1, 2019
What offseason? The work doesn’t stop for Fort Dupont and Brooks Orpik at the #Caps summer service project!
Donate to help Fort Dupont receive the funding it needs for renovations here: https://t.co/qAyBx0hZZn pic.twitter.com/FPtEMLiAfh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 1, 2019
One of the task Orpik was entrusted with was the repainting of the parking lot lines and pavement markers:
Brooks Orpik is a blue line specialist. pic.twitter.com/YNPcz3ynNR
— elizabeth (@of_elk) June 1, 2019
Brooks Orpik is volunteering alongside 100 Caps fans who are here to help spruce up the arena pic.twitter.com/e0UhqCoCDo
— elizabeth (@of_elk) June 1, 2019
Orpik also helped clean mats, glass, and the rink boards:
Brooks Orpik has studied the tape and is ready to help clean these mats. pic.twitter.com/BUMDvyBPYe
— elizabeth (@of_elk) June 1, 2019
@Capitals Brooks Orpik with the squeegee glass cleaning crew at DC’s Fort Dupont Ice Arena cleaning day Saturday pic.twitter.com/eehDwK8laU
— William Douglas (@WDouglasNHL) June 1, 2019
Orpik, 38, recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 53 games played in 2018-19, his fifth with the Capitals. With some salary cap constraints and several young defensemen set to play bigger roles next season, it is unknown and looks unlikely the veteran rearguard will return to the Caps. Orpik was noncommittal in his exit interview on his playing status with the Capitals or with any team next season.
By Michael Fleetwood