I met with Jose and his family yesterday. He is very fit and he is very excited. He said he would come to DC in August to skate with his new teammates. He cannot wait to get on the ice. He actually said he wanted to skate with the rookies at camp yesterday but he needed to find a home in the area which he had done.
I was very happy to hear him say that he had watched us play a lot during the year. He also mentioned watching two of our playoff games with Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg and that they all noted how the young Caps reminded them of the old Avalanche in many ways; a team built through the draft and with young players who grew up together. I took that as a great compliment.
He also said he remembered when we played them that we had out shot them at one point 30 to 10 and that he went to the bench and one of his teammates said, “Who do these guys think they are? The Red Wings?” Very funny!
Jose also mentioned to me that his father is Greek. Theodore is a shortened name as his dad’s name is actually Theodore Theodore, which is common in Greece/Macedonia. Jose is half Greek and half Spanish and he grew up in Montreal.
He is psyched to be here which was so great to hear face to face. He loves playing for a team that can compete for the Cup right now, which were his words exactly. He also thinks we have an exciting team and that we have the best player in the world. He also said it was fun to know that we have a team that has three players that served as MVP of the entire NHL on our roster. He believes that will gain us respect around the league.
Jose looks very young. He is a veteran of the NHL but he has many years left to play great hockey. He and his family will settle here very quickly. His family has already embraced the community and have bought a home. Let us welcome him to DC. I was very pleased with our face to face meeting. He knows and has embraced what we are building here in DC.
Tom Orem–I remember you from the old Prodigy Caps Message Board, mid ’90′s. Hope you’re doing well.
Bill
nilsrox1@yahoo.com
Once Fedorov is signed, the Caps will have three Hart Trophy winners on the roster (Theodore, Fedorov and Ovechkin). The Caps will have what the Avs had last year with three winners on the roster (they had Sakic, Forsberg, and Theodore).
Before that, the only time three Hart winners were playing on the same team was Pittsburgh in 1991, but at that time they had only 2 winners as Jagr hadn’t won it by that time (he won the Hart in 1999, they had Mario and Bryan Trottier on the roster).
I am so looking forward to 2008-09!
Huet lets weak goals in early and has the team playing from behind to often. We need a chris osgood who wont make mistakes. Just stop the ones your supposed to stop and Ove and the boys will do the rest. As a fan I was probable the only one that didnt want Huet back. Theodore was the better deal money time and skill level wise. So he struggled out of the lockout. He was in the top 5 last season and is makeing his way back to form. Who can honestly say Huet is a better golie? NO ONE Yes he one with the team but look at the number of shots he faced during the run. When you face that few shots anyone can look great in net. We got a better deal. Go caps
I’m looking forward to watching Jose win some games for the Capitals, and I believe that he’s more than capable. A player with the skill set he has, and in a positive environment like the Capital’s can only do good things.
BTW, the FanFest was brilliant! I got to meet Jay Beagle, Alzner (again), Mestery, and others. I seriously hope that their careers lead them to the Capitals NHL roster some day, as they would certainly make great ambassadors for this team. I wanted to meet Osala, but that line was closed by the time I got through the other one. I didn’t get to meet Laich, because we were forced to choose between the equipment sale and the Laich autograph line, and I needed some new sticks to get me through the rest of the year.
All together, it was a great time!
Mr. Leonsis: I’ve written to you a few times over the years. If you recall, I’ve alwatys been 100% supportive of your efforts. One thing I’m not 100% supportive of is this rumor about ice dancers. The women and children neitehr want nor need it and I’m sure many of us men are opposed too. Now that our team is competing strongly for the Cup, let’s stress the more ttradional aspects of the game. Thanks.
Tom Orem, Orlando FL (btw, wife is Greek and she opposes)
Hi Ted,
I absolutely love the direction the team is going. This past season was amazing and a lot of fun to watch. The Spirit Squad however is a TERRIBLE idea, and I haven’t spoken to a single hockey fan (male or female) that thinks it’s a good idea. It’s essentially soft core low class entertainment that is not condusive to the awesome family friendly environment that already exists at the verizon center. In my honest opinion it will discourage some families from coming to the games. Cheerleading and hockey just don’t go together, it would be a waste of time and money. Having gone to other hockey games (Devils) who do have “spirit squads”, I have found that people see them as a joke, and really pay no attention to them. It also sends a terrible message to young girls who might be in attendance. Should they really be led to believe that hockey is for men and girls are supposed to parade themselves half naked and cheer on the men? I have been giving serious consideration to purchasing a season ticket plan in the VERY near future, however, if this “spirit squad” becomes a reality I will have to change my mind, and you can expect that several families who have season tickets to turn them in. The CAPS are great enough on their own, we don’t need a spirit squad to lure more fans.
All Best, a lifelong CAPS fan,
Sarah Kramer
Ted:
Please scrap the idea of the “Spirit Squad”. We are not Carolina and do not need “cheerleaders” at our hockey games. “Rock the Red” has caught on since the playoffs and we do not need 18 year olds screaming and waving their arms to make us route on the Caps. Please scrap the idea of the “Spirit Squad”!
Nils
I think you and the Caps have done very well here with Jose. I’m looking forward to cheering him on this year.
Ted, a free agent signing like this must be both refreshing, and a testament to the fact that the hard work is paying off. Top tier UFAs now actively SEEK your employment here! He sounds like he has matured off the ice and I for one am glad we signed the guy excited to be a Cap, versus a guy in it for the contract (Huet).
Great anecdotes from inside the Avs, love ‘em!
Is it September yet?
This is just fantastic … the Caps are forming a team culture like the Red Wings … Alex Ovechkin is our StevieY, you are our Mike I.
Jose would have been my first choice at last year’s trade deadline as it was. It was great news to hear the Caps signed him, the terms, and the enthusiasm he showed in wanting to be here.
Rock the Red!!
Did he buy something in Maryland or Virginia?