Wednesday night, before Brooks Laich’s first game back as a visiting player, Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman interviewed the former Capital in the bowels of Verizon Center.
Friedman asked Laich if getting the first game out of the way so quickly was a good thing, and then they started talking about you guys on national TV.
I’m not kidding.
Video via Marianna S.
The post Friedman is referring to is an article I authored on Monday. But authored is a loose term here.
On Sunday night, I asked you on Twitter to send us your photos and well wishes to Laich.
If you've taken a photo with Brooks Laich over the last decade, respond to this tweet and upload your pic/caption. #ThankYouBrooks
— RMNB (@russianmachine) February 29, 2016
Hundreds upon hundreds of you responded. The never-ending Twitter thread (seriously, try scrolling through it) was a testament to just how much Laich did in the community and how many people he impacted. Consider: this is just a small segment of those people. It’s powerful and emotional stuff.
You guys should be proud of the impact you had on him.
There were also other kind things you did last night: like homemade signs.
Laich came out early before warm-ups to thank fans.
Photos: Matt Mendelsohn
During actual warm-ups, look how Laich skated around trying to acknowledge as many people as he could.
All in all it seemed as though Laich’s return to Verizon Center was a cathartic experience for the player and fans alike. Twelve years is a long time to spend in one place, especially in the world of hockey, and saying goodbye is never easy.
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