Brooks Orpik retires after 15 seasons
Two-time Stanley Cup champion Brooks Oprik is calling it a career after 15 NHL seasons, the Washington Capitals announced Tuesday morning.
"I've been extremely lucky to have the best job in the world for many years, but my body is telling me it is time to move on to something new," Orpik said. "I'm excited for more family time and to experience a lot of the things that being a professional athlete forces you to miss out on.
"Thank you to the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins for giving me the opportunity to play against the best athletes in the world. I'll be forever grateful for the memories and relationships that hockey has given me."
The longtime defenseman is the only player who's won a Stanley Cup with both Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin - the 2009 title with Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins and the 2018 championship with Ovechkin's Capitals.
Despite never surpassing 25 points in any season, Orpik was a bruising blue-liner who was difficult to play against. In 2012-13 with the Penguins, the San Francisco native received one third-place vote for the Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman.
Brooks Orpik has announced his retirement today from the @NHL after 15 seasons. The two-time Stanley Cup Champion skated in 1,035 regular-season games.
- Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 25, 2019
Congratulations on a terrific career, Brooksie. And thank you for everything! #ALLCAPS
Read More: https://t.co/phJzewaMWB pic.twitter.com/rJYfMZfejw
Even when the NHL transitioned to more of a speed and skill game in the last few years, the 6-foot-3, 217-pounder was able to remain an effective presence on the ice. Off the ice, he was regarded as an exceptional leader by his teammates.
Overall, the 38-year-old posted 194 points and 972 penalty minutes in 1,035 career regular-season games, and added 26 more points in 156 postseason contests.
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