Boone Jenner is pumped to join the Washington Capitals and play alongside the NHL’s greatest goal-scorer next season.
After becoming an unrestricted free agent this offseason, Jenner changed teams for the first time in his 13-year career, signing a four-year, $23 million contract with the Capitals on July 1, worth $5.75 million annually.
The former Columbus Blue Jackets captain discussed his decision and his enthusiasm to join the Capitals on TSN’s First Up with Korolnek and Colaiacovio on Monday.
“It was definitely a hard decision,” Jenner said. “I’ve always envisioned myself always being a Columbus Blue Jacket and, obviously, being there for 13 years, but as time was kind of going on there at the end of last season and into the offseason, the reality of trying something new started to sink in. Going through the process, (it was) something I’ve never done, and I know guys gotta do it once in their career, but no, it was a cool experience. ”
Jenner, a rugged, defensively responsible center known for his faceoff ability, net-front presence, physical play, and leadership, posted 421 points (212g, 209a) during his 808 games with Columbus. While he found personal success, the team made the playoffs just five times during his tenure.
“I’ve enjoyed my time in Columbus, and I can’t thank that city enough for what they’ve done for me,” Jenner said. “But for me, it’s the next chapter, and that’s where my excitement is now. And that’s with the Washington Capitals.”
Jenner already knew the Capitals well after spending 12 of his 13 NHL seasons in the same division and seeing Washington win the Metro six times, more than any other team. Jenner suited up against the Caps 37 different times in the regular season and played six games against them during the 2018 postseason when Washington went on to win the Stanley Cup.
“I know a little bit about the team they have,” Jenner said. “It’s already a really good team. The pieces they added, the excitement of ‘we want to win right now’ is really exciting for me.”
Like other players on the Caps, Jenner was particularly impressed by the moves general manager Chris Patrick made over the offseason to turn the Capitals back into a Stanley Cup contender, adding Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Vincent Desharnais, as well as several other depth pieces to the roster.
“Going into free agency, you don’t know what to expect,” Jenner said. “And obviously, watching the moves that Washington’s making at the draft and getting Tuch, getting Kyrou, and different things, and when they call, it’s super exciting. So I couldn’t be more excited to join that group. I’ve heard nothing but great things, know a couple of the guys. So I can’t wait to get down there.”
Jenner previously played with Pierre-Luc Dubois on the Blue Jackets for three full seasons and part of a fourth — 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, and the first five games of 2020–21 — before Columbus dealt PLD to the Winnipeg Jets on January 23, 2021. Over the years, Jenner also became friends with Tom Wilson — though they’ve had an intense rivalry on the ice at times — as well as Jordan Kyrou.
“Kyrou, we got together in London (Ontario) a little bit,” Jenner explained. “He’s up in Toronto now, but when he was back in London in the summers, we’d work out. I know Tom Wilson, just from playing against each other, being at certain events, and kind of growing up, playing against each other, I guess, our whole careers.”
Along with the players Jenner has pre-existing connections with, he was also excited to play with Alex Ovechkin, whom he met briefly at the end of last season.
“I met him once,” Jenner said. “Actually, it was kind of funny. We did like a little jersey exchange at the end of last year. It was the last game of the regular season for both of us. So obviously everyone was like not sure if it was his last year. ”
The game was played on April 14 at Nationwide Arena, with Washington winning the game 2-1. Ovechkin, who had been swapping jerseys with fellow stars and captains across the league, exchanged sweaters with Jenner privately afterward. At that point, Ovechkin had not yet decided if he was going to retire or play another season, giving the game an air of importance, especially with a throng of traveling Capitals fans cheering and chanting Ovi on.
Although Ovechkin’s return was not confirmed when Jenner joined the team — Ovechkin signed on July 2, the day after Jenner did — he was not surprised that The Great 8 decided to return for another year.
“I had a sense, leaving that small, short interaction with him, that he was coming back,” he shared.
“Obviously [he’s] one of the greatest goal scorers of all time and one of the best players to ever play the game,” Jenner continued. “How can you not be excited to play with him?”
