Former Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby hasn’t talked to the media for years, and it appears things are going to stay that way for the immediate future.
Thursday, during the first day of Capitals’ Training Camp, Tom Wilson tried to pull the beloved franchise legend toward the media so reporters could speak to him. “He wants the podium!” Wilson exclaimed per RMNB’s Katie Adler.
Tom’s Herculean strength, however, was no match for Holtby’s stubbornness.
“Absolutely not,” Holtby said laughing.
Since appearing to end his playing career after spending the 2021-22 season with the Dallas Stars, Holtby returned to Washington, DC and has served as a mentor to Capitals’ goalie prospects and other young players.
Holtby was on the ice at McMullen Hockey Arena for Capitals Rookie Camp last week.
He has been a fixture at Development Camp and Training Camp over the last few years, many times skating side-by-side with Olie Kolzig.
Holtby works with the Capitals player development team consisting of Kolzig, Brooks Orpik, and Jim Slater, but he is not an official staff member — at least as of now.
Holtby’s role with the team was recently cited by Jason Fitzsimmons, the Capitals’ director of minor league hockey operations, in an article published by Mike Vogel earlier in the month.
“[W]e’ve got a good crew of guys like Steve Richmond, [Brooks Orpik], Olie [Kolzig], Jimmy Slater and now [Braden Holtby],” Fitzsimmons said. “We have a good crew of guys that work hard at development and they’re in Hershey all the time.”
Author of “The Save,” Holtby backstopped the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup championship in 2018. He owns the second-most wins (282) in franchise history and was the NHL’s Vezina Trophy winner in 2016 as the league’s best goaltender.
