Peter Bondra

It’s time. The Capitals need to retire Peter Bondra’s number 12.

Late last week, Washington Capitals great Peter Bondra was inducted into Slovakia’s Hockey Hall of Fame. Bondra was previously inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation’s HOF back in 2016.

The news of Bondra’s latest honor was met enthusiastically by our readers, but it also renewed an old debate (that’s actually not much of a debate at all) among old-guard Caps fans: Should Peter Bondra’s number 12 should be retired?

The answer remains a resounding yes. Bonzai’s number should be hanging in the rafters next to Rod Langway, Yvon Labre, Mike Gartner, and Dale Hunter.

I’ve resisted writing about this over the years, but Ted, I really think it’s time.

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By Ian Oland 1 month ago

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Peter Bondra inducted into Slovakia’s Hockey Hall of Fame

Washington Capitals legend Peter Bondra was honored by his home country on Thursday.

Bondra was officially inducted into Slovakia’s Hockey Hall of Fame during a hockey gala at Bratislava Castle. Bondra was originally announced for the Hall in 2021, joining New York Islanders’ great Zigmund Palffy, who was tabbed for the 2022 honor.

“It’s a shame that we never played together in the same NHL team,” Bondra said during his acceptance speech according to sport.sk’s Tomáš Prokop.

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By Ian Oland 2 months ago

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Capitals players respond to Zdeno Chara signing, grateful they no longer have to compete against him

The Washington Capitals shockingly signed Zdeno Chara away from the Boston Bruins on Wednesday to a one-year, $795,000 deal. The 43-year-old legend may not be what he used to be, but his new Capitals teammates are grateful they’ll never have to face him again.

Chara is the tallest player in NHL history and plays a physical, grueling game. The Norris Trophy winner is impossibly gangly and blocks nearly everything tossed his way. He also has a power game; he owns one the hardest slap shot in NHL history.

TJ Oshie and Tom Wilson were the first players to react to the news and they expressed their bodies’ gratefulness that they’ll no longer be as bruised and battered as before.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Peter Bondra scored his first NHL goal 30 years ago today

Washington Capitals legend Peter Bondra scored the first of his 503 goals thirty years ago today.

Bonzai lit the lamp on a wrist shot past New Jersey Devils’ goaltender Chris Terreri.

The goal was scored in a 3-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils at Brendan Byrne Arena.

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Peter Bondra wishes Olie Kolzig a Happy 50th Birthday

Former Capitals goaltender Olie Kolzig celebrated his 50th birthday on Monday.

And one of his former teammates from those great 90’s Capitals teams wished him a happy birthday: Peter Bondra!

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By Ian Oland 2 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin and Lars Eller appear at Capital One Arena team store grand re-opening

On Monday, the Capital One Arena held a grand re-opening event of the arena’s newly-renovated team store. Lars Eller, Peter Bondra, and the Wizard’s Phil Chenier were scheduled to appear at the fan event at noon.

Eller, Bondra, and Chenier were all lined up in front of the team store for a photo when suddenly a surprise guest appeared: Alex Ovechkin.

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By Elizabeth Kong 4 years ago

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Peter Bondra gives kudos to Ovechkin for his style of celebrating: ‘His joy was genuine and very honest’

In case you were visiting another galaxy for the past three months (and because typing it never gets old): the Washington Capitals are the 2018 Stanley Cup champions. This feat came exactly 20 years after their first and only previous appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. Out of the greats on that 1998 team, Peter Bondra is arguably one of the brightest, and his heart still beats for the Caps.

The newest member of the DC Sports Hall of Fame has been busy this summer, but he took the time to speak to hokej.sk about what it’s like to finally see his former team raise the Cup.

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By Alexandra Petakova 4 years ago

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Peter Bondra’s son David scores first career World Championship goal for Team Slovakia

Like father like son. On Thursday, David Bondra, son of Washington Capitals legend Peter Bondra, scored his first World Championship goal for Team Slovakia in a game versus France.

The goal gave Slovakia a 1-0 lead early in the first period. Slovakia would win 3-1.

David Bondra wears his Dad’s number 12.

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By Magnus Cadelin 4 years ago

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The Capitals won in San Jose during regulation for the first time since October 30, 1993

The Washington Capitals’ 2-0 win against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday was sleepy, but it was also historic.

According to the New York Times, the Capitals had not won in regulation at San Jose since their first trip to the Shark Tank on October 30, 1993.

That’s an insane 25 years, folks. I was eight-years-old.

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By Ian Oland 5 years ago

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2018 Capitals Casino Night photos

On Thursday evening, the Capitals put on their best suits and ties for the team’s annual Caps Casino Night. All proceeds from the event, hosted in the casino ballroom of the newly opened MGM National Harbor, benefited the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.

Players interacted with fans while playing blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold ’Em, and slot machines.

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By Cara Bahniuk 5 years ago

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