Photo - Al Bello / Getty ImagesThe Washington Capitals now command a lot of respect, after an award winning 2007-2008 season and 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs berth. The NHL, NHLPA, even the sports news media and local government have spoken. They have made it clear that they admire Alex Ovechkin, Bruce Boudreau, Nicklas Backstrom and the Capitals organization. Washington will no longer be referred to as the lowly Cap's. They now have plenty of hardware that says otherwise.
Capitals fans watched the 2008 NHL Awards Show from home and Verizon Center with joyful anticipation as Ovechkin was rightfully awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award (Player Of The Year) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player). It eased the nerves of some when the Pearson was presented to Alex at the start of the show. We already knew he was getting the Hart. Backstrom did not receive the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie Of The Year), but second place is obviously still very respectable. Coach Boudreau was presented the Jack Adams Award (Coach Of The Year), after inspiring a last place team enough to get them to the playoffs.
Alex Ovechkin had already received a few other awards. As the league's highest goal scorer (65) he earned the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Having also led in points (112), Ovechkin won the Art Ross Trophy. For the third straight year, Alex won the Kharlamov Trophy after being voted the best Russian player in the NHL by other Russian players.
Capitals teammates Alex Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Semin helped lead Team Russia to their first world championship in 15 years at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, held in Halifax and Quebec City, Canada between May 2nd and May 18th. Next year they may be busy going into later rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs instead.
Capitals fans watched the 2008 NHL Awards Show from home and Verizon Center with joyful anticipation as Ovechkin was rightfully awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award (Player Of The Year) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player). It eased the nerves of some when the Pearson was presented to Alex at the start of the show. We already knew he was getting the Hart. Backstrom did not receive the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie Of The Year), but second place is obviously still very respectable. Coach Boudreau was presented the Jack Adams Award (Coach Of The Year), after inspiring a last place team enough to get them to the playoffs.Alex Ovechkin had already received a few other awards. As the league's highest goal scorer (65) he earned the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Having also led in points (112), Ovechkin won the Art Ross Trophy. For the third straight year, Alex won the Kharlamov Trophy after being voted the best Russian player in the NHL by other Russian players.
Capitals teammates Alex Ovechkin, Sergei Fedorov and Alexander Semin helped lead Team Russia to their first world championship in 15 years at the 2008 IIHF World Championship, held in Halifax and Quebec City, Canada between May 2nd and May 18th. Next year they may be busy going into later rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs instead.
Photo - Mitchell Layton / Getty Images
What all these accolades bring to the Washington Capitals as a team is much the same as it brings to the individuals themselves. It brings a feeling of pride and satisfaction. They know for sure that they can play at an elite level. It makes Washington a desirable organization to belong to. From pee wee league youngsters to NHL superstars, the Capitals are a team most would love to play for. They've earned some serius respect.
2 comments:
thats a hype picture of OV...what a season
Absolutely Navin. They should've put a 2008 pin on him, or maybe a banner behind him. Ovie's likely to do this a few times, and we won't be able to tell which is what year.
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