Capitals sign Orpik add big defenseman
The Washington Capitals added to their defense today by signing Brooks Orpik to a five-year deal. Orpik has always given the Capitals trouble and is a veteran defenseman in the prime of his career.
Orpik has played on the United States Olympic team the past two Olympics. Orpik is 33 years old but looks like he still has plenty left in the tank, speed was never really part of Orpik’s game. Orpik plays smart and physical and always positions himself well. Orpik is also known for being a good team leader.
This is a very good signing for the Capitals as Orpik is a very good stay at home defenseman and hits hard. Orpik plays with grit and blocks shots which the Capitals have been without.
Here is the Capitals press release.
Capitals Sign Brooks Orpik
Posted on July 01, 2014 by Caps PRARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Brooks Orpik to a five-year, $27.5 million contract, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.
“We are very excited to welcome Brooks to Washington,” said MacLellan. “We feel Brooks’ leadership and experience will greatly enhance our defense for years to come. Brooks plays tough minutes against the opposition’s best players.”
Orpik, 33, ranks first among defensemen in Pittsburgh franchise history in games played (703), fifth in penalty minutes (734) and ninth in assists (119). The 6’2”, 219-pound defenseman has registered 132 points (13 goals, 119 assists) and 734 penalty minutes in 703 career NHL games. He has served as an alternate captain for the team since 2008, was named the Penguins’ Defensive Player of the Year three times (2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12) and won the Player’s Player Award four times (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14), given to the player that exemplifies leadership on and off ice and is dedicated to teamwork.
Orpik played in 72 games for the Penguins in 2013-14, earning 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) and 46 penalty minutes and ranked first on the team in blocked shots (143) and first among Pittsburgh defensemen in hits (221). Orpik was drafted by the Penguins in the first round, 18th overall, in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
The San Francisco native has represented the United States at the Winter Olympics twice (2010, 2014), the World Championships once (2006) and the World Junior Championships once (2000). Orpik earned a silver medal with Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. He played three seasons at Boston College from 1998-01 and helped the Eagles win the NCAA Division I National Championship in 2001
