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Brooks Orpik Announces Retirement After 15 Seasons

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Today Washington  Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik announced his retirement after playing for 15 seasons.

 

Orpik, who was drafted 18th overall in 2000 by the Pittsburgh Penguins, would spend the first 10 seasons of his career with the Penguins before signing with the Capitals on July 1st, 2014 to a five year contract.

 

With both the Penguins and Capitals Orpik would capture two Stanley Cups, the first coming in 2009 with Pittsburgh when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in seven games. Then with the Capitals in 2018 when they defeated the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.

 

On the International stage, Orpik represented the United States on multiple occasions, including the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2000, the 2006 IIHF World Hockey Championship as well as the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games. Orpik was a key defender on the 2010 US Olympic Team as they would win silver in Vancouver that year.

 

Statement from the Washington Capitals: 

“On behalf of the entire Washington Capitals organization, we would like to congratulate Brooks on a terrific NHL career. Throughout his tenure in the league, Brooks epitomized leadership and hard work. He had a tremendous influence on his teammates both on and off the ice and was instrumental in helping us capture our first Stanley Cup. We thank Brooks for the impact he had across the organization and the Washington, D.C., community over the course of five seasons and wish him, his wife Erin, and daughters Harlow and Brooklyn all the best.”

 

Orpik’s impact in Washington was felt by all, and the love and support from his teammates was evident as some of his teammates had the following to say about him.

 

Alex Ovechkin

“Batya was a great leader in our locker room and was so important for us to win our first Stanley Cup. We will miss his presence in the room and on the ice. Not only was he a great leader and a player, but he was a better person. I’m so happy I had a chance to play with him and for our young guys to have had the chance to learn from him. I want to wish him, Erin and his kids the best. We will miss him and the Batya protein shakes!”

 

Nicklas Backstrom

“Brooks was one of the best leaders I’ve had the chance to play with in my career. It is difficult to find a better teammate, and a player who worked harder and enjoyed the game as much as Brooks. We all learned from Brooks and he made his teammates better every day. It was a pleasure playing with him and I wish him and his family all the best.”

 

John Carlson

“I had the great opportunity to see up close how impactful Brooks was for our team. Spending time as his defensive partner and playing alongside Brooks was something that I will always cherish. He showed his teammates the importance of hard work, accountability and always being there for your team every time he stepped on the ice. We all learned from Brooks; he was our role model and he made us better. I wish him and his family all the best!”

 

We here at TXHT would like to congratulate Brooks Orpik on a fantastic NHL career, and that we wish him the best in everything he does in the future.

 

*Feature Graphic courtesy of the NHLPA

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