NHL All-Star Weekend is underway from Nashville, and in the spirit of the NHL’s midseason classic we’re counting down some of the top All-Star moments in Washington Capitals history.
Feb. 5, 1993: Al Iafrate sets record with 105.2 MPH Slapshot
Capitals defenseman Al Iafrate impressed the Montreal Forum crowd at the 1993 Super Skills Competition firing a 105.2 MPH cannon to win the Hardest Shot event. Iafrate’s record stood for 16 years before Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara hit 105.4 MPH at the 2009 Super Skills Competition.
One day after Iafrate’s performance, his Capitals teammate Peter Bondra made his NHL All-Star Game debut. Bondra would go on to appear in a team-record five All-Star games, winning the Fastest Skater event in 1997 and 1999.
In 1993, Bondra had a goal and an assist as the Wales Conference beat the Campbell Conference 16-6. Former Caps forward Mike Gartner was named the game’s MVP after scoring an All-Star record four goals.
Jan. 24, 2009: Alex Ovechkin wows Bell Centre crowd
Alex Ovechkin has never shied away from the spotlight, and one of the game’s most exciting players stole the show at the Mecca of hockey in Montreal.
Ovechkin brought some swagger to the Breakaway Challenge, loading up on props before heading to the net with not one, but two hockey sticks. Among Ovechkin’s additional accessories was an oversized pair of sunglasses, a safari hat and a Canadian flag.
One day later, Ovechkin had a goal, two assists and the shootout deciding tally as the Eastern Conference beat the Western Conference 12-11 before an all-star record crowd of 21,273.
Feb. 9, 1982: The Capitals host the 34th NHL All-Star Game
The Capitals have played host to the NHL midseason classic only once in franchise history, doing so in February 1982 at the Capital Center in Landover, MD.
A sellout crowd of 18,130 watched the Wales Conference beat the Campbell Conference 4-2. There has not been a lower scoring All-Star Game since. New York Islanders forward Mike Bossy was named the game’s MVP with two goals, including the game-winner.
Capitals forward Dennis Maruk was Washington’s lone representative and received the loudest ovation during pregame introductions. Maruk finished the game with an assist.
Maruk would finish the 1981-82 NHL season third in the league with 60 goals and fourth in scoring with 136 points.
Feb. 12, 1985: A club-record four Capitals represent the Wales Conference
For the first time in franchise history, the Capitals had multiple players in the NHL All-Star Game.
The Caps led the Wales Conference with four players — forwards Bob Carpenter and Mike Gartner, and defensemen Rod Langway and Scott Stevens. Carpenter, Langway and Stevens were all named to the Wales Conference starting lineup by the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The Wales Conference beat the Campbell Conference with Gartner becoming the first Capital to ever score in an NHL All-Star Game.
The four players representing the Capitals in a single All-Star Game, remain the most in club history.
(Rob Page III)
Rob Page III
Jan. 25, 2015: Alex Ovechkin taken third-to-last in Fantasy Draft; still wins car
Back when the NHL turned to a ‘Fantasy Draft’ to determine All-Star rosters, the final pick in the draft received both ribbing from fellow NHLers and a new set of wheels in the form of a Honda Accord.
With this in mind, Ovechkin made headlines at the 2015 All-Star Draft, begging captains Nick Foligno and Jonathan Toews to pick him last. “I want to be last. I need a car,” Ovechkin said on the live broadcast.
Ultimately, Ovechkin was picked third-to-last by Team Foligno and finished with three assists in a 17-12 loss to Team Toews.
But the story didn’t end there. In the hours and days following the Friday night draft, it was uncovered that Ovechkin wanted to win the car so that it could be donated to the Washington Ice Dogs, a hockey team for children with special needs. When word reached the NHL and the folks at Honda, arrangements were made and the vehicle was in fact donated to the American Special Hockey Association.
(Rob Page III)
Feb. 1, 2003: Caps Rookie Brian Sutherby Named YoungStars Game MVP
The Capitals first-round pick from the 2000 NHL entry draft was named MVP of the 2003 NHL YoungStars Game in Sunrise, FLA.
Brian Sutherby had two goals (including the game-winner) and an assist as the YoungStars East beat the YoungStars West 8-3.
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images/NHLI)
NASHVILLE — NHL All-Star Weekend is underway from Nashville, and in the spirit of the NHL’s midseason classic we’re counting down some of the top All-Star moments in Washington Capitals history.
