The NHL announced a new initiative as the new year approaches.
Beginning at the NHL’s Winter Classic, the league will announce both a First and Second Quarter-Century Team for all 32 clubs. Both Quarter-Century Teams will consist of three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender who have appeared in at least one game for the respective franchises since Jan. 1, 2000. The rosters will be selected by a panel of media, retired players, and executives specific to that NHL franchise.
Capitals players eligible to be named to the teams include Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Semin, Peter Bondra, John Carlson, Mike Green, Braden Holtby, and Olie Kolzig. Other legends, who only spent a short-lived time on the club during the last 25 years, like Jaromir Jagr, Sergei Fedorov, and Adam Oates.
The NHL will then hold a fan vote to figure out the league’s Quarter-Century Team: the top 25 players of the past 25 years regardless of position.
The NHL’s full press release is below. What would be your Caps’ first and second teams? Let us know in the comments.
NHL Announces Plans to Select, Celebrate Quarter-Century Teams
Specially Appointed Panels to Select Each Club’s First and Second Quarter-Century Teams; Fan Vote Will Elect 25 Players to NHL Quarter-Century Team presented by SAP
NEW YORK (Dec. 14, 2024) – The NHL will honor its best players from the past 25 years in a multi-phased Quarter-Century Team selection and celebration, the League announced today.
The campaign will be rolled out in three phases, with each accompanied by a robust content campaign across all NHL platforms to reflect selections and encourage fans to participate in the debate.
(1) Dec. 30, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025: Club Quarter-Century Teams Announced
Starting at the Discover NHL Winter Classic later this month and continuing daily through January, the NHL will reveal each Club’s First and Second Quarter-Century Teams. Both the First Team and Second Team will consist of three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender. Each Club’s First and Second Quarter-Century Teams will be selected by a panel of media, retired players and executives specific to that Club. Players under consideration for selection are those who have appeared in a game for the respective franchises since Jan. 1, 2000.
The schedule of announcements is as follows (subject to change):
Date Club Monday, Dec. 30 St. Louis Blues Tuesday, Dec. 31 Chicago Blackhawks Wednesday, Jan. 1 Arizona Coyotes Thursday, Jan. 2 Columbus Blue Jackets Friday, Jan. 3 Florida Panthers Saturday, Jan. 4 Toronto Maple Leafs Sunday, Jan. 5 Anaheim Ducks Monday, Jan. 6 Seattle Kraken Tuesday, Jan. 7 Minnesota Wild Wednesday, Jan. 8 Los Angeles Kings Thursday, Jan. 9 Pittsburgh Penguins Friday, Jan. 10 Winnipeg Jets Saturday, Jan. 11 Calgary Flames Sunday, Jan. 12 Vegas Golden Knights Monday, Jan. 13 Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday, Jan. 14 Boston Bruins Wednesday, Jan. 15 Buffalo Sabres Thursday, Jan. 16 Dallas Stars Friday, Jan. 17 Carolina Hurricanes Saturday, Jan. 18 Washington Capitals Sunday, Jan. 19 Montreal Canadiens Monday, Jan. 20 Colorado Avalanche Tuesday, Jan. 21 Vancouver Canucks Wednesday, Jan. 22 New Jersey Devils Thursday, Jan. 23 Detroit Red Wings Friday, Jan. 24 New York Islanders Saturday, Jan. 25 Ottawa Senators Sunday, Jan. 26 New York Rangers Monday, Jan. 27 San Jose Sharks Tuesday, Jan. 28 Tampa Bay Lightning Wednesday, Jan. 29 Nashville Predators Thursday, Jan. 30 Edmonton Oilers Friday, Jan. 31 Utah Hockey Club (2) Feb. 12-26, 2025: Fan Vote to Select the NHL Quarter-Century Team presented by SAP
Shortly following the conclusion of the Club Quarter-Century Team announcements, the focus will turn to a League-wide fan vote from Feb. 12-26.
The fan vote will determine the top 25 players of the past 25 years, regardless of position, that will comprise the NHL Quarter-Century Team presented by SAP. Voting will be conducted on both NHL.com and X. Fans will have 100 percent of the vote. Only players named to a Club’s First Quarter-Century Team will be eligible for selection.
More details on the fan vote will be announced in the coming weeks.
(3) Date TBD: NHL Quarter-Century Team presented by SAP Announcement
The 25 players voted by fans to the NHL Quarter-Century Team presented by SAP will be revealed on a date to be determined.
NHL Productions also will produce four debate-style studio shows around the players and highlights of the last 25 years, with the shows scheduled to be released in March.
