A Capital Goodbye: T.J. Oshie Retires with a Legacy of Loyalty and Leadership

June 13, 2025 – By Justin Linn

The Georgetown Waterfront was flooded with emotion Monday evening as hundreds of fans, teammates, family members, and friends gathered to celebrate the retirement of Capitals winger T.J. Oshie. 

Against the backdrop of the Potomac River, Oshie officially closed the chapter on a 17-year NHL career, one that spanned success, heartbreak, and an unforgettable Stanley Cup run.

Oshie’s remarks reflected not only on his career, but on the people who helped build it from the ground up. 

Early Life

“I was fortunate to have two loving parents who did everything they could so I could live out my dreams of being a professional athlete,” he said. “You never forced me into anything, but instead supported me and encouraged me to follow my dreams, calling me your little superstar even before I could skate.”

That bond, especially with his father Tim, who battled Alzheimer’s and was immortalized in Oshie’s emotional post Cup interview in 2018, remained a centerpiece of the ceremony. “Back in my younger years, my dad, along with the other coaches, would always put up a laminated quote on the door,” Oshie shared. 

“The quote read, ‘Today, I will give all I have. For this moment may never come again.’ That has always stuck with me… No amount of skill, size or speed could control how hard I worked.”

Changing Teams

The journey wasn’t always smooth. Oshie reflected on the moment he was traded from St. Louis to Washington, a moment filled with doubt. “I was nervous, scared. How could I leave a team of trainers and players and fans who I love so much?” he said. 

But that uncertainty melted quickly when he spoke to Capitals GM Brian MacLellan. “In just minutes, he made me feel how excited the Capitals were to have me.”

Once in Washington, Oshie found a system that unlocked his full potential. “The coaching staff let me use every part of my game—my mind, skills, athleticism, leadership, and work ethic,” he said. “I was finally freed up to just be me.”

One story that drew laughs and applause came when Oshie described a unique gesture to show his loyalty to the Capitals. 

“I got a paper towel from the bathroom, and a sharpie. And on it, I wrote something along the lines of ‘I, TJ Oshie, hereby agree to sign an extension with the Washington Capitals. For blank years, at blank dollars.’ I then signed the paper and underlined a spot for Mac to put his signature in,” he said, grinning. “I guess my agent might have gotten involved because those blanks were filled in—with maybe a little bit more than I deserved.”

Winning the Cup

Over the years, Oshie became a pillar of the Caps’ locker room. He credited the core group of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, and John Carlson, with shaping that culture. “Man, what a core group to be a part of. Four very different players, but all insanely good people,” he said. 

“It just felt like you never got sick of being around each other, and still don’t to this day.”

Of all the highs in Oshie’s career, none soared higher than June 7, 2018. On that night, the Capitals won their first Stanley Cup—and his father was there to see it. “The emotions were everywhere,” Oshie recalled. “His memory had already gotten to a point where he couldn’t be out on his own… there’s a connection between hockey players and their parents. I don’t know if it’s the road trips or the 6 a.m. practices, but it’s a special bond.”

That special day at the waterfront in 2018, also laid the groundwork for Monday’s farewell. When asked how it felt to be back in the same place—once for the Cup, now for his retirement—Oshie didn’t hesitate. “Both are emotional in different ways. So far, there’s been a lot less alcohol involved in this one,” he joked. “But it really comes full circle. We were sitting up here and that’s when I decided we should do the Cup stands. It was me and Tom who decided we should go into the fountains, and we grabbed a bunch of the boys, and then shortly the fans followed. It just shows how much the fans mean to us and to me, and today is no different in showing what they mean to me in my retirement ceremony.”

That moment, and the story behind it, are part of a new documentary titled Coach, premiering June 14 at the DC/DOX Film Festival. 

“It’s been about five years since we started it,” Oshie said. “We open up a little bit about Alzheimer’s in our family’s lives. I’m very, very proud of it.”

Moving Forward

Oshie didn’t let the day pass without a message to the fans who embraced him so deeply. 

“How can I ever thank you enough for your support of me and my family?” he asked. “In 2018, we celebrated in the streets together because we won the Cup together. You can’t talk about Capitals hockey without mentioning our amazing fan base… It was an absolute honor to play for you.”

He also made sure to thank his wife, Lauren. “You’ve made me a better person and still do every day,” he said. 

“Without you, I have a feeling my career would have been a lot shorter, or at least not as successful.”

As for what’s next, Oshie is open—but leaning toward staying close to the rink. 

“ESPN was great. TV’s obviously an option,” he said. “But I feel like I’ll be part of the Capitals organization for as long as I can. If there’s something that makes sense for both of us, I’d love to still be employed by the Caps.”

In the final moments of the ceremony, Oshie addressed the inevitable question, what he’ll miss the most. The answer came not in stats or accolades, but in friendship. 

“The bond that we have in the Capitals locker room is so incredibly special… our bond goes outside of the locker room into our everyday lives. These people make an imprint on you and your family.”

After 17 seasons, the superstar known for shootout goals, bruising hits, and unmatched energy left the ice with a simple promise:

“So, to my family, friends, coaches, trainers, teammates, fans, and the game of hockey, promise you this… The moment my stick touched the ice, I gave you everything I had. With that, after 17 years in the NHL, I’d like to officially announce my retirement. Thank you.”

---