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Mite of the Night has no idea who Olie Kolzig is, Troy Brouwer wins Top Shot challenge

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The Washington Capitals activated their alumni in brilliant ways during Opening Night of their 50th anniversary season.

After walking a red carpet and meeting with fans before entering Capital One Arena, the five different eras of Caps were introduced to the ice pregame in a powerful moment.

While the current players squared off with the New Jersey Devils, the alumni made their way around the arena and entertained Caps faithful. Two of the best examples came during intermission, where they surprised fans on the jumbotron.

Olie Kolzig, a multi-time NHL All-Star and Vezina Trophy-winning netminder, took the job of interviewing the game’s Mite of the Night. The scrimmage happens during the first intermission between players, usually from an area youth team, and the best player of the night earns an interview on the bench.

Saturday night’s Mite of the Night, Rafe, earned the big spot with the team’s current development coach. However, Rafe, likely born well after Kolzig wrapped up his playing days, thought he was just talking to a normal host.

Here’s a transcription of the incredible interaction.

Kolzig: Well, here I am with Rafe.

Rafe: [Correcting pronunciation] It’s Rafe.

Kolzig: Rafe, thanks for correcting me. Rafe, first question, do you have any idea who I am?

Rafe: No.

Kolzig: I used to be a goalie here. Long time ago. Anyway, who’s your favorite player on the Caps?

Rafe: I can’t remember.

Kolzig: Can’t remember? Okay, does it have a number 8 on his jersey?

[Rafe shakes head]

Kolzig: We’ll save that question for later.

Kolzig ended his memorable few minutes with Rafe by getting the young star to join him in a “Let’s go Caps” chant. The moment perfectly encapsulates why, outside of his fantastic on-ice play, Olie the Goalie was such a fan favorite in DC for parts of 16 seasons.

Later, Troy Brouwer, who scored a career-high 25 goals for the Capitals in 2013-14 and played four seasons in DC, took on the nightly Top Shot challenge. The challenge, usually taken on by a random fan in attendance, features nine targets a shooter must hit with plastic pucks to win a prize.

Brouwer initially downplayed his abilities, saying he hadn’t played much hockey recently before sniping the nine targets in just 10 shots. He then unbuttoned his alumni varsity jacket, revealing that he had already been wearing a t-shirt that said, “I won Top Shot at a Caps game.”

“Ugh, feels amazing,” Brouwer said. “Really close to the Stanley Cup.”

Brouwer then brought a nearby TJ Oshie, who he was traded for to St. Louis in 2015, on camera to yell “Let’s go Caps” into host Annie Mae’s mic while holding his daughter Leni.

While the present-day Capitals lost Devils, the game was still a perfect end to a special weekend for the franchise. Much of that was due to the openness and fun the alumni, like Kolzig and Brouwer, were willing to have.

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