Over the last six years or so, I have received hundreds and hundreds of emails from long term fans, season ticket holders and media members asking and cajoling us to retire Mike Gartner‘s number and jersey. The rationale was simple. He was a great player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame and who played more than half his games in a Caps sweater and scored more than half his goals in a Caps sweater. He became a leader for the Players Union and was an example in the community.

“Why this year?” you may ask. The rebuild is over. We don’t need to do any ceremonial “feel good” gestures. We wanted to fete Mike and make it his day. We also wanted to re-embrace one of our own and say thank you for the great production and congratulations for being a hall of famer.