Why Olie is my all time favorite Cap...

While impatiently waiting for this highly anticipated Capitals season to start, I thought I'd write about Olie the goalie. Here's why he's my favorite all time Cap:

• Olie's been a Capital longer than anyone else on the team today and understands, as well as long-time fans, the pain of the ups/downs this franchise has suffered since the high point of the '97-'98 Stanley Cup championship series appearance.
  
• He breaks his sticks often in the pursuit of perfection (which I can relate to although I tend to break computer equipment...not good). Tarik El-Bashir's blog last week mentioned that Olie has already broken 3 sticks in training camp this year.


• Olie's inspired goaltending was a key reason the Caps made it to their only Stanley Cup final appearance. During these playoffs, he became only the 10th goalie in NHL history to record 4 shutouts in 1 postseason.


• He won the Vezina trophy in 2000 and made the NHL All-Start first team that year, as well.


• Olie came to town early last year and this year to get as many Caps on the ice skating as early as possible. He's a great leader for this team (along with Clarkie) and mentor for the younger players.
  
• He'll stick up for his team and has been known to fight the other team's goalie, even when that goalie also served as the best man at his wedding (Byron DaFoe, Boston Bruins).
  
• Olie won the King Clancy Trophy in 2006 for his on and off ice leadership qualities, including his extensive work with autism through his two foundations, Carson Kolzig Foundation and Athletes Against Autism.
  
• His nickname, given to him by fans of his minor league team, is Godzilla.
  

Here's to an awesome season Godzilla.

Let's go Caps!