Braden Holtby

Braden Holtby, Capitals fourth-line make appearance at Garnet Hathaway beer release for ‘Hath’s Hazy’

Following in the footsteps of Capitals alumni Craig Laughlin and Alan May, Garnet Hathaway released his own beer on Monday. And the fourth-line winger got the support from a litany of current and former Caps during a release party.

Earlier in the year, Hathaway partnered with Other Half Brewing to create Hath’s Hazy. The sales benefit DMV first responders – a cause near and dear to Hathaway’s heart.

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By Ian Oland 2 days ago

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Braden Holtby not ready to say he’s retired from NHL yet, but back in DC for good: ‘This is our home’

CROFTON, MD — As a scattered shower passed through the area, Braden Holtby took photos with Capitals fans out on the porch of the Crofton Country Club, indifferent to the weather. Always a bit uncomfortable with the fame that comes from being a star hockey player, the former Capitals goaltender seemed at home in the moment, grinning ear-to-ear as Caps faithful approached him. He looked happy.

Holtby had just finished 18 holes of golf as a celebrity guest of the second annual Laughlin Family Foundation Golf Tournament. The Vezina Trophy winner was not promoted or advertised for the event. But in the morning, he was just there — unmistakable in a khaki-colored Big Bear Trading Company cap, colorful slim-fit dress shirt, and aviator sunglasses. With no active social media, Holtby has captivated Caps’ Twitter whenever he’s been photographed around town since he left for the Vancouver Canucks in 2020 and later the Dallas Stars in 2021.

As he was chatting with guests, I came over to say hello. I wasn’t sure if Braden would remember me. I also wasn’t sure how he’d react to an interview request, which I would give him every opportunity to turn down with no hard feelings. Braden has always been great and upfront with Capitals media, especially after difficult games, but this was a private event and he had no obligation to talk to me. And let’s be honest, I’m not the perfect vehicle — fan-turned-journalist — to ask him some of the bigger questions that we’ve all been wondering over the last few months.

Is he retired from hockey? Is he back in DC for good?

“Hey! How have you been?” Holtby said warmly when I walked up. “I’d be happy to talk to you.”

A crowd gathered to our right as we spoke.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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None of these players play in DC anymore

DC Sports were on top of the world for a year after being seemingly cursed for decades.

There was the Summer of Leonsis, which began in June 2018 with the Capitals winning the Stanley Cup. Then two more Monumental Sports & Entertainment franchises won: the Washington Valor became Arena Bowl champions in late July and the Washington Mystics won the WNBA title in September. The next fall the Washington Nationals improbably went on to win the World Series featuring big performances by Juan Soto, Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Howie Kendrick, Anthony Rendon, and Ryan Zimmerman.

The Nationals celebrated their World Series title at Capital One Arena with the Capitals days later on November 3, 2019. Jakub Vrana scored a hat trick that night. After the game, Nationals players came down onto the ice and many tried out hockey for the first time — some nearly injuring themselves.

Soto, the Nationals’ budding superstar, found the hero from the game, Vrana, and the team’s legendary goaltender, Braden Holtby, for an iconic photo.

Now, less than three years later, all of these players no longer play in DC.

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By Ian Oland 2 months ago

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Report: Braden Holtby unlikely to play next season, his career may be over

With Braden Holtby an unrestricted free agent next Wednesday, many Capitals fans were hoping that the Holtbeast would return to the team that he won the Stanley Cup with in 2018.

Not only does that seem unlikely, but Holtby’s career may in fact be over. The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reported the news during the DFO Rundown Podcast.

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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Braden Holtby attends Washington Nationals game with former Capitals teammate Karl Alzner

Braden Holtby was spotted out and about in the DC area again. This time, it was at a Washington Nationals game and with a special guest.

Former Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner joined Holtby at Nats Park on Friday evening.

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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Braden Holtby was back at the DC Pride Parade this year

Braden Holtby may be a contracted member of the Dallas Stars (at least until mid-July), but his heart remains in DC.

The 2018 Stanley Cup-winning goaltender, who bought a new house in the area, was spotted at DC’s Pride Parade earlier in June.

Holtby was wearing a tie dye LOVE IS LOVE shirt from Northern Virginia beer maker, Starr Hill Brewery. (A portion of the proceeds of that shirt went to four local LGBTQ+ organizations.)

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By Ian Oland 3 months ago

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Where are they now? The Washington Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup championship team.

The Washington Capitals defeated the Vegas Golden Knights four games to one to win the Stanley Cup four years ago this week.

Since then, the Capitals have not won a playoff series since, getting first-rounded four consecutive times. While the Caps’ core and identity have largely stayed the same, the 2018 team’s supporting cast has moved on. Only nine of those 27 players are still on the team while two others, Shane Gersich and Pheonix Copley, remain in the organization.

Some key members of the 2018 championship team have flourished elsewhere. Others have wound down their careers or retired in different organizations or leagues.

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By Ian Oland 4 months ago

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Braden Holtby honored by NHL for making save of the season

Braden Holtby may not challenge for the Vezina Trophy anymore, but this season, he showed that he absolutely still has it at age 32.

Serving as the Dallas Stars’ backup, Holtby sported his best save percentage, .913, since the 2016-17 season with the Capitals. He also was honored by the NHL for making the save of the season.

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By Ian Oland 4 months ago

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