Washington Capitals goaltending great, Braden Holtby, turned 35-years-old on Monday, and he got a special surprise at Rookie Camp.
As reported by Monumental Sports Network’s Tarik El-Bashir on X and observed by RMNB photographer Alan Dobbins, Capitals prospects sang Happy Birthday to Holtby at the conclusion of Monday’s on-ice session, which wrapped up the four-day event.
Rookie camp wrapped up with the players singing happy birthday to volunteer coach Braden Holtby, who turned 35 today. #Caps
— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) September 16, 2024
After serenading the Holtbeast, the prospects gave the former Capital loud stick taps on the ice.
“I’m not gonna lie it sounded good through the glass,” Alan, laughing, told RMNB when we asked how good the singing was. “Braden seemed to get a real kick out of it.”
Holtby has been serving as a goaltending coach with Olie Kolzig at Rookie Camp, continuing his role from this past summer’s Development Camp.
Twenty of the team’s top young skaters, including top prospects Andrew Cristall and Terik Parascak, got work in at McMullen Hockey Arena in Annapolis, Maryland, since Friday. Holtby spent most of his time working with goaltenders Garin Bjorklund, Seth Eisele, and Collin MacKenzie.
Next up: Capitals’ Training Camp which begins on Thursday.
