“It’s been fun, see you never,” Michael Latta tweeted to Andre Burakovsky in September.
After feeling “older and more mature,” the Burracuda moved into his own apartment, leaving the original Caps’ roomies, Latta and Tom Wilson, a brobean short.
Fast-forward to today and things have become harrowing. Washington Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan non-tendered Latta, a restricted free agent, while tendering Wilson — metaphorically evicting Latta from the team. Talk about awkward. Latta will be free to sign with another team on July 1, breaking the lease between the Caps Roomies for good (at least physically in Arlington). Latta said his goodbyes this evening.
Thank you Washington, love the city, love the fans. Looking forward to earning an opportunity somewhere else.
— Michael Latta (@Latta17) June 27, 2016
Wilson responded.
Going to be sad not having you around next year brother. It was an amazing few years and you'll always be a great friend @Latta17
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) June 27, 2016
During difficult times like these, we must openly weep, become irrational, and eat buckets of Häagen-Dazs. And also: remember the good times!
Make sure to play this in the background while reading the post for added effect.
The Caps Canine Calendar
Photo: Amanda Bowen
In September, Whip and Steam posed for the Caps’ new dog calendar. They were the cover models for February, which needed a strong Valentine’s Day theme. So they both put roses in their mouths and cheesed for the camera. So romantic.
Halloween Bros
Sticking with the holiday theme, here’s Wilson and Latta at a Caps Halloween party in 2014. Teaming up with Joel Ward and Liam O’Brien, the duo sported ridiculous Dodgeball-themed costumes.
A Roomie Rescue Mission
Latta, a veteran of 18 NHL regular season fights, and Wilson, who’s scrapped 33 times, are no strangers to punching faces. But on February 25, 2015, it was Latta (top right) who had to rescue his dear roommate. Wilson got trapped on the Pittsburgh Penguins bench and was absorbing unfriendly fire. As Latta tries to pull him out, he gets punched by Steve Downie and probably about 12 other Penguins. Love knows no bounds though and Latta proved it that night.
The Practical Jokes
Tom Wilson got to play the role of an ESPN reporter two seasons ago, interviewing his roommate for a feature on the sports leader. Instead of producing a peabody award-winning piece of journalism, Wilson was pied in the face by former backup goaltender Justin Peters.
The Flirting
Catch of the day, and I’m not talking about Latts
A photo posted by Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) on
The Mentoring
“Really Willy?? We’re going outside??”
A photo posted by Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) on
They Were Inseperable…
Even in the penalty box.
They Went To The Pool Together Too
A photo posted by Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) on
And Football Games
They Loved Teasing Their Former Third Roommate
Apparently Wilson and Burakovsky wrestled a lot too.
Their Food Was Probably Terrible
A photo posted by Michael Latta (@latta17) on
We Should Be Happy
Annual Costco run… @Latta17 checking out the hot ketchup deals #3for1 pic.twitter.com/nRhjsdZWGo
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) September 8, 2015
They managed to survive (and stay in good shape) on little more than bulk ketchup.
The Awkward Prom-Style Photos
Last summer, Peters got married to fiancee Kelly Johnson in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The goalie was joined by many of his Caps teammates in America’s Hat. The best thing to come out of the ceremony, beyond Peters’ actual marriage, was the above picture.
Halifax… Coming in hot, excited for Peteys wedding with @tom_wilso See you soon @ob61 @tbrouwer20
— Michael Latta (@Latta17) June 26, 2015
The #LotsOfTigers Hashtag
We still don’t know what it means.
The Weird Family Tree
Uncle Green took me under his wing since day one… Sad to see such a great guy go! Best of luck to you in Detroit @GreenLife52
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) July 1, 2015
The Dolphins
During the All-Star Break, Wilson and Latta took a dream vacation together (along with Andre Burakovsky) to the Bahamas. They took pictures with dolphins.
“It was really cool,” Latta told me a week later. “We got up and [the dolphins] pushed us across the water and stuff. It was pretty cool. It was interesting for sure. It was amazing how well-trained they are, how smart they are.”
And Finally… The Shirts
Wilson and Latta’s living arrangements were so widely celebrated, they made Washington Roomies t-shirts celebrating their bromance. Now, it’s just another ironic t-shirt in a long list of ironic Caps t-shirts.
Sigh.
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