Washington Capitals broadcasts will feel like they are missing an extended family member as color commentator Craig Laughlin is temporarily leaving the TV booth to undergo open-heart surgery. The Capitals’ game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night was Laughlin’s final game before beginning his leave of absence.
Laughlin’s medical journey began when an Alan May-encouraged medical scan at Life Guard Imaging revealed a high calcium score. During follow-up appointments with cardiologists, the former Capitals’ 30-goal scorer was advised to repair a bicuspid aortic valve. The condition can cause the valve opening to become narrowed or blocked due to an aortic valve containing two flaps (or cusps) instead of three. He also learned that he had an aneurysm and a blocked left anterior descending artery.
While Laughlin says recovery from his upcoming operation will keep him out of action for a while, he is optimistic he’ll return before the end of the regular season in April. Alan May will fill in for Laughlin during his absence.
Since Laughlin announced the news during the telecast of a game against the Montreal Canadiens, there has been a huge outpouring of support from the Capitals community. Now, Laughlin’s family is trying to show their support to Craig and turn a negative into a positive — just like they did when Craig’s wife Linda was diagnosed with a rare endometrial cancer in 2018.
Courtney, Craig’s daughter, released specially designed #LockerStrong t-shirts on Friday, which can be preordered through The Laughlin Family Foundation’s website until Friday, January 24, 2025. The proceeds from sales will be donated to the American Heart Association.
“I had this idea when I first saw the flood of messages come in after my dad made his announcement last week,” Courtney told RMNB. “I immediately saw the LockerStrong hashtag, and knew there was something there. I quickly got with our friend Matt at Engine Athletics — the same person that designed our foundation hockey jerseys for the golf tournament — and he came up with the design. The t-shirts are not only a way to show support and love for Locker, but they also raise awareness for heart health, as proceeds benefit The American Heart Association. With the Caps hosting Heart Health Awareness Night on February 4th, this felt like a nice way to tie everything together.”
Courtney said that the foundation has already sold 200 shirts in the first 24 hours of going live, a level of support exceeding their expectations. “That just speaks once again on how amazing and supportive the Caps community really is – rallying around us once again.”
As for Craig, he’s admittedly had his anxieties since learning of his condition, but the response has lifted him in one of the more difficult times in his life.
“It’s been overwhelming and amazing to read so many messages and to hear from so many friends, family, former teammates, coaches, current players, media personalities, and of course the fans,” Craig said. “It just goes on and on. This kind of support has really encouraged and inspired me to meet this head-on and go into my upcoming surgery with tremendous confidence. So many people have shared their own stories with similar experiences and diagnoses of open heart surgery, and this has given me strength both physically and mentally to get through this. I can’t thank everyone enough.”
The navy blue shirts are available for $45. The front features the hashtag underlined by a hockey stick. A heart, with Laughlin’s number 18 from his playing days, flanks the right while three stars sit over top. The back includes Craig’s nickname with a microphone, resembling the number one, sitting beside the number eight.
Courtney has also set up a mailing address for fans who want to send letters, cards, and well wishes.
Mailing address to send letters and cards to Craig
The Laughlin Family Foundation
C/O Courtney Laughlin
P.O. BOX 3308
1296 Cronson Blvd.
Crofton MD 21114
“I’m still trying to go through and read all the messages that my dad and our family have received,” Courtney said. “From texts, DMS, emails, phone calls, or just comments on social media, there has to be thousands of messages. It’s definitely been overwhelming, but in a good way. It brings tears to my eyes to see and feel how much love Caps Nation has for not only my dad but for our entire family. There have been so many words of encouragement, well wishes, and prayers sent – and it has definitely lifted up the spirits of the entire Laughlin family.”
