After defeating the Boston Bruins 3-1 at Capital One Arena Tuesday afternoon, the Washington Capitals didn’t go their separate ways for the rest of the night. Instead, the close-knit team held a New Year’s Eve party where the players’ wives, significant others, and families were invited to ring in 2025 together. A good time appeared to be had by all.
“It was awesome,” Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren told RMNB. “It’s always fun all of us hanging out, getting together. It was a blast.”
The dinner’s menu included items like caviar, grilled octopus, and zucchini fritters. Players could take photos together in a photo booth, complete with New Year’s accessories like 2025 glasses and top hats.
“We had a magician, actually, and he blew my mind,” rugged forward Brandon Duhaime revealed when asked about his favorite part of the night.
Duhaime, completely serious, continued, “I don’t get how he does it. There’s a lot of card tricks and sleight of hand stuff, so it was pretty cool.”
For Ivan Miroshnichenko, whose wife Karisha and twin sister Valeria joined him at the event, the party was something he had never experienced before.
“Amazing party,” he said. “Good. Good for me, good for the team and my family. But in Russia, it’s family dinner, family holidays. New experience for me. Great time.”
When asked if he had a favorite part of the party, Miroshnichenko said, chuckling, “Maybe.”
Defenseman Dylan McIlrath said that under his leadership in Hershey, the minor-league team would try to hold New Year’s events together as well.
“When we can,” McIlrath said. “I know last year we got the whole team together at a venue, yeah. It was similar. [Tuesday] night was a lot of fun.”
Naturally, when playing in a competitive sport where you’re judged by wins and losses, players and coaches had New Year’s resolutions.
“I’m going to try to cut out some sugar this month, how about that?” McIlrath suggested.
“Oh man, probably just continue to be a better human every day,” Lindgren said. “Nothing specific, but just continue to grow as an individual and as a person in this world and try to be better every day.”
“I’ve got to get to it,” a determined Duhaime said. “I’ve got to think about it but I’ll make them today.”
Miroshnichenko said he had none — “nope” — while head coach Spencer Carbery opted to keep his inside the brain.
“New Year’s resolutions,” Carbery said sighing. “I do not have one this year. But I do have some individual personal ones that I like to keep private.”
“Personal!” Joe Beninati, part of the media scrum, responded.
“Yeah, I’d like to keep those personal,” Carbery said. “But yeah, for the team, no. We just continue to try to build our game and try to get better.”
That counts for us.
The party, according to Lindgren, ended minutes after the ball dropped.
“I think everyone grabbed their spouse or girlfriend, gave them a big kiss, and headed out shortly after that,” the Capitals goaltender said.
The night appears to be another example of why this Capitals’ team is so close and could be part of why it has surprised analysts across the NHL, leading the Eastern Conference in standings points nearly halfway through the season.
Katie Adler provided additional reporting for this story.
