It’s been a busy month for the Capitals newest defenseman. Moving from one team to the next, from coast to coast, hasn’t left a lot of free time for the British Columbia native. But things are finally starting to settle down a bit. Dillon took a few minutes to check in with NHLPA.com to talk about welcome texts, Washington’s welcome wagon scene, and locker room music.
When the news broke that he was traded:
“I was definitely pleasantly surprised with the number of guys that reached out when I got traded. I would say at least half the team messaged me, introduced themselves, and welcomed me. T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson, Braden Holtby, John Carlson… he was one of the first guys who texted me. There were a lot of guys, who are a big part of this team, that took the time to send me a text, and make me feel part of the group.”
First impressions:
“It’s definitely been hectic, but it’s been a lot of fun. What’s really struck me early on is just how good of a group it is. I genuinely didn’t know anyone on the team no one from the Vancouver area, no one who I played with before. When I got here, as soon as I went into the locker room for the first time, guys were having fun. There were lots of laughs and big smiles. Guys are all hanging out together. It doesn’t matter if they’re Russian, Swedish, Canadian or American everyone hangs out. Not only are they having fun in a loose way, but once you step out on the ice, from my first practice to game time, it’s like a switch gets flipped and it’s game on.”
Settling in:
“We had a lot of games in a short period when I first arrived, but when I did get a chance to talk with the guys or go out to dinner a lot of them seem to live in the same area near the hotel I’m staying at I got some good advice on some places to go. I had back-to-back afternoon games…and I don’t think I’ve ever had that in my eight years in the league. I could get used to that. After the second game, we had about seven or eight of the guys get together some brought their significant others and had a great time. A lot of the places, I haven’t had the chance to check them out yet, but I do know there’s a lot of great spots and things going on here.”
Welcome to D.C.
“One of the coolest things about being here is as soon as I got into the airport, when I touched down from San Jose, I had at least five or six people come up to me I’m walking around with a big teal and black San Jose Sharks bag, and about 10 hockey sticks, so I don’t know what gave me away and they were saying, ‘Welcome to D.C. Welcome to Washington. We’re happy to have you.’ Even when I was out for dinner with some of the guys, a bunch of the people in the restaurant said the same type of thing. It’s been really welcoming. You combine the hockey with the guys, and the city and everything, and it’s been an awesome fit.”
No Complaints:
“I’ll be honest, I don’t have any complaints with the music being played. I think the DJ’s they have had so far I’d give them all five stars.” All-around music fan, Dillon, on the Capitals locker room music scene.
