The Washington Capitals traded two of their longest tenured players ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday: Nic Dowd and John Carlson. While Carlson’s deal to Anaheim received most of the headlines, Dowd’s trade to the Golden Knights proved nearly just as hard for the team and fans to accept.
Dowd, one of the hardest-working and selfless players on the team over the last eight years, was a genuine person who did the dirty work in games so others could shine.
Friday, before suiting up with the Vegas Golden Knights for the first time, Dowd spoke about the trade to Golden Knights Radio’s Dan D’Uva and he had nothing but great things to say about his time in DC.
Audio
“I would say that I leave Washington with nothing but gratitude,” Dowd said. “You know, I think the organization there, the fans, my teammates, they made hockey more than just our job, more than a game. I was organically happy to show up to the rink every single day. I truly, truly loved being around those guys from the training staff, the athletic staff, everybody. They foster such an environment that creates success and allows people to be themselves. You know, I’m a big believer in surrounding yourself with successful people and people that want you to be successful. That’s the only way to live your life. And that organization is chock full of them.”
He also had a special message for Capitals faithful who believed in him and cheered him on.
“To the fans that supported me, I thank you guys,” Dowd said. “I appreciate you guys understanding me as an individual off the ice more so than on the ice. I hope that they’ll remain fans. It was a privilege to play. It was a privilege to play in that jersey and in front of those fans.”
After being brought in to replace Jay Beagle as the fourth-line center, Dowd recorded 166 points (79g, 87a) in 506 games for the Capitals — the 33rd most in franchise history and 35 more than Beagle, the only fourth-line center in Capitals history to win a Stanley Cup.
