The Washington Capitals honored TJ Oshie before puck drop against the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Oshie became the 390th skater and the 52nd US born player to suit up in 1,000 NHL games on March 16 against the Vancouver Canucks.
Emceed by Monumental Sports Network’s Joe Beninati, the TJ1K pregame ceremony included appearances (both digital and in-person) from former players near and dear to Capitals fans’ hearts. Oshie’s wife Lauren along with the couple’s four children — Lyla, Leni, Campbell, and Lucy — were joined on a Capitals’ red carpet by TJ’s mother Tina and sister Tawni. Anna, Lauren’s best friend and Leni’s godmother, was also on the ice holding Lucy but not announced.
The video began with words from former Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby, who received loud applause from the Capital One Arena crowd.
“Osh, congrats on 1,000 games,” Holtby said in the pre-recorded video. “It’s an incredible accomplishment. Your ability to make everyone else better at all times is second to none. Thanks for letting me be a part of that journey for a little bit and here’s to many more, man.”
Nicklas Backstrom was also featured. “It’s so hard to reach 1,000 games in this league and you’re there now,” he said. “That’s awesome.”
Fellow teammates John Carlson, Tom Wilson (“you’re like a brother to me”), and Alex Ovechkin shared congratulations to Oshie as well, along with his brother Taylor, who did not attend the event.
“I’m truly proud of you,” Taylor said via video. “Everyone back home, pretty much the entire the town of Warroad I’m sure, really proud of you. In the great words of Coach Osh, ‘Let’s get into one.'”
Oshie’s kids, though, stole the show.
Campbell: “I love you papa! Congratulations.”
Lyla: “You’re the hardest worker I know. Thank you for teaching me all of my sports.”
Leni: “I love you. Thank you for having me in hockey and basketball and soccer. I love you.”
Lucy: “DADA!”
The Capitals even presented the outtakes later on social media.
“We couldn’t be more proud of you on this journey with you,” Lauren said. “The past 13 seasons has been incredible to watch. We couldn’t be happier for you.”
When the lights came back up, Oshie was presented an engraved silver stick by Dick Patrick (from the Capitals organization) and a Tiffany crystal by Brian MacLellan (from the NHL). The team also gave Oshie a jersey featuring a hand-painted illustration of him holding the Stanley Cup. Oshie’s kids will also receive commemorative silver sticks.
Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson then skated out with flowers for the family, joined by a surprise appearance from Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom, rocking a full suit and an Oshie 1,000 games shirt, walked out of the tunnel to loud cheers.
The players presented Oshie with a custom Toulon putter.
Once the ceremony concluded, the entire Capitals dispersed onto the ice for a team photo, including the team’s scratches and suspended player (Tom Wilson). Matthew Phillips, who would be sent down to Hershey at the first intermission, also posed in the picture.
The Capitals honored Oshie’s accomplishment in other ways throughout the day as well.
The team arrived to the arena in TJ1K shirts
Meanwhile, Oshie arrived in a three-piece suit.
Capitals players all wear number 77 jerseys during warmups
The Gr77 just doesn't have the same ring to it pic.twitter.com/Ab7VItRDfe
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 24, 2024
