Barry Trotz, Lane Lambert, and Mitch Korn walked into the enemy locker room at Barclays Center two hours before puck drop of the Capitals and Islanders game. They were received warmly in an emotional pregame ceremony.
“It’s going to be really hard to not like you guys, it really is,” Trotz said tearing up. “Because you’re always family.”
The three Islanders coaches were presented championship rings for their roles on Washington’s 2018 Stanley Cup-winning team. Trotz, clapping in rhythm as he first walked into the room, immediately hugged and high-fived Alex Ovechkin, before going around the entire room and saying hi to all his former players. Trotz, Lambert, and Korn all made short speeches.
“All summer I wanted to say this,” Trotz said. “We f*cking did it, okay?”
He added that he thought the Capitals could repeat as champions.
“You can do it again, too,” Trotz said before adding, “you’ll have to go through the f*cking Island.”
Video
Three coaches walk into a locker room, all three walk out with #StanleyCup Rings. Thanks for everything Barry, Lane and Mitch. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7X8j1EfzXz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 26, 2018
Barry Trotz’s speech
All summer I wanted to say this. We f*cking did it, okay?
The four years of great f*cking memories, the work you guys put in, the friendships that we’ve made, the incredible things that we did together. That lasts a lifetime. I’m looking for a couple things. I’m looking forward to the reunions and all the great stories. The one thing that you guys said, and I said it to the media, you guys are so resilient as a group. Over the years, the pressures in that were real and you fought through that. That’s the most proud I am of you guys. You’re resilient f*cking champions.
And I think Osh said it, you can do it again, too. You’ll have to go through the f*ing Island. But you guys can do it again, and I sincerely say that. I don’t know how to thank all of you guys.
I’m gonna try to do the same thing on the Island. We got lots of work to do to hopefully have the same memories as I always will with you guys.
There’s such a big investment to winning and you guys made the biggest investment, and it’s worth everything … I’ll die a happy man.
It is going to be really hard to not like you guys, it really is, because you’re always family.
Lane Lambert
Thank you to the players for making what we all dream about as kids become a reality. You guys did it for us coaches and you guys put in the hard work. The sacrifice, we ask you to block shots and do all that sh*t, you did it. And as a result, we’re all champions.
Mitch Korn
You’ve heard this a ton. Hockey is a game of people, not pucks. Pucks are things. This (holds up ring box) is a thing. I’m thrilled to have it, and thanks for everybody for making this possible. But this thing is all about the memories, the relationships, the friendships that we’ve developed. The only face I wish I saw was Grubi’s, and I’ll express that to him when I see him as well. It was a great four years, and thank you all very very much.
GIFs
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Islanders
Transcription by Julia Karron.
Headline photo: @Capitals
