In case you were visiting another galaxy for the past three months (and because typing it never gets old): the Washington Capitals are the 2018 Stanley Cup champions. This feat came exactly 20 years after their first and only previous appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. Out of the greats on that 1998 team, Peter Bondra is arguably one of the brightest, and his heart still beats for the Caps.
The newest member of the DC Sports Hall of Fame has been busy this summer, but he took the time to speak to hokej.sk about what it’s like to finally see his former team raise the Cup.
“Not only me, but other older players who used to play for Capitals are still a part of the team and I can say that it was a great feeling for us too,” Bondra said, when asked about the Caps’ successful playoff run. “They finally did it! Not just Ovechkin, but most importantly the team owner and the people who put a lot of money and energy in [the team].”
A few generations of @Capitals Alumni at the Rooftop Bourbon & Cigars Event. Thanks to all who came & supported the MSE Foundation. It was a great night! pic.twitter.com/fAMhmIQ13K
— Peter Bondra (@PeterBondra12) June 26, 2018
Bondra, who serves as the director of alumni affairs and business development for the Capitals, was right there for both the playoff conquest and all that happened after.
“I am still a part of the organization, so I went to most of the games. I even managed to enjoy the first two games of the final in Las Vegas in person. It was an intense experience and the partying was truly exceptional. I had no idea myself how many fans we had in Washington until now,” Bondra admitted. “It became obvious during the Constitution Avenue parade, when thousands of people came to greet the players.”
Of course, it was Alex Ovechkin who had a big say in just how wild the marathon of partying would get. Bondra made it clear that he approves of celebrating a championship like you’ve been trying to win it all for 13 years.
“I liked the way Alex celebrated a lot. He made himself incredibly accessible to people. If you were in the city and got lucky, you could have met him and taken pictures just fine. Or even jump together in a fountain and take a bath. His joy was genuine and very honest. I’m delighted by his success and of course I took pictures with him too.”
Bondra himself never won the championship, but he doesn’t seem to mind. “I never won it as a player, but I don’t regret it. I played 14 good seasons for Washington and one time we made it all the way to the final. Times change and the Capitals have been going full throttle for the past 10 years. The owners spent all they could and they pump all they can in the team every year. They were doing everything possible to bring the Cup to the city and it finally paid off. And I’m very happy about that.”
It’s safe to say he’s not the only one. Now that there’s going to be that coveted banner hanging in Capital One Arena, it might be a good time for Bondra’s No. 12 to join the retired numbers under that roof.
Headline photo: @Capitals
