Capitals All-Time Greats

"I just tried to give my all every night. That work ethic
is what the Caps have always been about."
-Dale Hunter

Yvon Labre, D, #7
Retired 22 November, 1980
Acquired in the 1974 Expansion Draft, Pick #4, from Pittsburgh
Yvon Labre was one of the unlucky group to don Capitals red, white and blue in their innaugural season. His bruising style of play and opportunistic offense quickly endeared him to the team and fans. He was named team captain in 1976. After retiring in 1980, Labre took the first in a series of front office positions with the franchise until he finally said goodbye in 2000. He is remembered for his contributions both on the ice and in the community and drew countless fans to the arena. His familiar #7 was retired by the Capitals.

Yvon Labre's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1974-1981	334	12	84	96	756	-89

Rod Langway, D, #5
Retired 26 November, 1997
Acquired via trade from Montreal 9 September, 1982
Rod Langway was instrumental in changing the Capitals from doormats to perennial playoff contenders. The team, which had never made the post-season prior to his arrival, did not miss the playoffs every season during his stay. Langway was the ultimate defensive defenseman and twice earned the Norris Trophy (1982-83, 1983-84). Team captain from 1982 until 1992, he became the most recognizeable face on a no-name, hard-working team. His #5 was retired and will never be worn by another Capital, and he was the second Capital to be inducted into the NHL Hall of Fame.

Rod Langway's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1982-1993	726	25	177	202	502	117

Dale Hunter, C, #32
Retired 11 March, 2000
Acquired via trade from Quebec 10 June, 1987
Dale Hunter played 19 seasons and 1,593 games in the NHL before finally hanging up his skates. Interestingly, the first round pick the Caps sent to the Nordiques as part of the multi-player deal became Joe Sakic. Even knowing that, most Caps fans would take the deal as it stood: Dale Hunter was the heart, soul and hero for a generation of Capitals and Caps fans. Dale Hunter did it all for the team: he scored, he lead, he played defense and he fought. He was the first player in NHL history to end his career with over 1,000 points and over 3,000 penalty minutes (Pat Verbeek later became the second). No Capital before or since is as beloved by the fans. His #32 hangs from the MCI Center rafters and the only thing standing between him and the Hall of Fame is a late hit on Pat Lafontaine.

Dale Hunter's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1987-1999	872	181	375	556	2003	-4

Mike Gartner, LW, #11
Traded to Minnesota 7 March, 1989
Acquired with the Caps 1st pick (4th overall) in the 1979 Entry Draft
Mike Gartner was the first true superstar to wear the red, white and blue of the Washington Capitals. Drafted with the 4th pick overall in the 1979 draft, he made an instant impact in the league by scoring 36 goals and 68 points as a rookie in 1979-80. That would be his lowest point total as a Capital until 1989 when he was traded with Larry Murphy for Dino Ciccarelli and Bob Rouse during the season. Along with Langway and Bengt Gustafsson, he was instrumental in leading the Capitals into respectability. Only lately have his team offensive records begun to fall to Peter Bondra. He was chosen for the NHL Hall of Fame in 2001.

Mike Gartner 's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1979-1989	758	397	392	789	776	60

Bengt Gustafsson, F, #16
Claimed by Detroit in the 1990 Waiver Draft
Acquired with the Caps 7th pick (55th overall) in the 1978 Amateur Draft
One of the keys to the development of the Caps, Bengt Gustafsson was a flashy offensive performer who kept the fans on the edge of their seats. A favorite on and off the ice, Gustafsson was one of the most prolific scorers in Capitals history and is fondly remembered by the older generation of fans.

Bengt Gustafsson's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1979-86, 87-89	629	196	359	555	196	31

Kelly Miller, RW, #10
Retired 1999
Acquired via trade from the NY Rangers 1 January, 1987
Kelly Miller was the first of the three Miller brothers to play for the Capitals. Washington sent Bobby Carpenter and a 2nd rounder to Broadway for Miller, Mike Ridley and Bob Crawford in 1987 as a late Christmas present for the fans. Miller was never the star on the ice, but he rarely missed a game and always worked his butt off. His scoring, defense, leadership and veteran savy kept the Caps going back to the playoffs year after year. He retired as the all-time leader in franchise games played (later passed by Calle Johansson).

Kelly Miller's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1987-1999	940	162	246	408	436	75

Michal Pivonka, C, #20
Retired 1999 for medical reasons
Acquired with the Capitals' 3rd pick (59th overall) in the 1984 Entry Draft
Michal Pivonka is often the forgotten man in the list of Caps greats. He was over-shadowed by Gartner, Carpenter, Hunter, Iafrate, Langway and Bondra, but few players have done more for the franchise. A top defensive centerman, Pivonka contributed in all aspects of the game and deserves most of the credit for making Peter Bondra the offensive force he became. Forced to retire due to debilitating injuries, Pivonka faded from the scene but won't soon be forgotten.

Michal Pivonka's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1986-1999	825	181	418	599	478	18

Calle Johansson, D, #6
Returned to play for Toronto in late 2004, re-retired June, 2004
Acquired via trade from the Buffalo Sabres 7 March, 1989, retired April 2003,
Calle Johansson retired as the Capitals all-time leader in seasons played (15), games played (983), defenseman assists (361), defenseman points (474), and defenseman power play goals (51). He learned his trade from Rod Langway, and eventually turned into the mentor for every Washington blue-liner he played with. Calle Jo was one of the most reliable performers in his own end in the NHL, and displayed above average offensive skills as well (he notched the first multi-goal game in MCI Center history). His leadership was recognized with an "A" for most of his career in DC. He represented Team Sweden many times during his career in international competitions, including as team captain at the Nagano Olympics. Despite the animosity between him and the franchise after his last games with the team, he has now taken a position as head of European scouting for the Caps.

Calle Johansson's Statistics With Washington
Years	Games	Goals	Assists	Points	PIMs	+/-
1989-2003	983	113	361	474	519	47