Capitals Legend T.J. Oshie Announces Retirement Ceremony \ TezzBuzz \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ T.J. Oshie officially announced his retirement Monday after 16 seasons in the NHL. A Stanley Cup champion and Olympic hero, Oshie called it a career during a fan-filled event in Washington, D.C. Injuries kept him sidelined this past season, prompting his emotional farewell.
T.J. Oshieone of the most beloved figures in recent NHL history, announced his retirement on Monday after an illustrious 16-season career split between the St. Louis Blues and the Washington Capitals. The announcement, which had been anticipated for months due to his persistent back issues, took place in a deeply symbolic location: the fountains at Washington Harbour in Georgetownwhere Oshie and several teammates famously celebrated the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup win by diving into the water.
Seven years to the day since that unforgettable moment, hundreds of fans gathered in the same spot to celebrate the man who helped deliver Washington its first NHL title. Standing beside team legends like Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlsonhead coach Spencer CarberyGM Chris Patrickand president of hockey operations Brian MacLellanOshie reflected on a career filled with grit, skill, and unforgettable memories.
“My only contribution was suggesting the day and place,” Oshie said modestly. “The Caps have been first-class all the way. To have my retirement here, with so many fans and loved ones—it made the day incredibly special.”
Oshie, 38, hadn’t played since April 28, 2024when the Capitals were eliminated in a first-round playoff sweep against the New York Rangers. He’d spent much of the previous season on long-term injured reserveunable to overcome chronic back issues that had plagued him for years. By the spring of 2024, he openly admitted that a return would only happen if he could find a permanent fix for the injury. That solution never came.
Looking back, Oshie revealed that he had emotionally prepared for the end in that final game. “I took pictures of me taking off my skates—I knew it could be the last time,” he said. “But actually standing here now, saying the words in front of my family, my teammates, and the organization—it hit me hard.”
Drafted 24th overall by the Blues in 2005Oshie debuted in 2008 and went on to play 1,116 regular-season and playoff gamestallying 336 goals and 428 assists for a career total of 764 points. But beyond the numbers, Oshie’s impact was measured in leadership and legacy.
In 2015, he was traded to the Capitals, where he became an immediate part of the team’s emotional core, joining forces with Alex Ovechkin, Backstromand Carlson to push the team toward perennial playoff contention. The chemistry clicked, and in 2018, the group led Washington to its long-awaited Stanley Cup title, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. Oshie contributed 21 points during that historic run.
His influence stretched beyond the NHL. Oshie became a national sports icon during the 2014 Sochi Olympicswhere he went 4-for-6 in shootout attempts to help Team USA beat host Russiaearning the nickname “T.J. Sochi.” The performance captivated the sports world and solidified his status as a clutch player under pressure.
“I always played for my teammates, my coaches, my family, and the fans,” Oshie said during his farewell. “I never really focused on my own stats or accolades. But to be remembered as a warrior—that means everything to me.”
In the Capitals’ record books, Oshie ranks fifth all-time in power-play goals (76) and is tied for third in shootout goals (49)—a testament to his offensive consistency and ability to deliver in critical moments. His physical style, on-ice intelligence, and relentless drive made him a fan favorite, not just in D.C. but across the league.
While the final years of his career were defined by injury, the totality of Oshie’s journey stands as a model of resilience and team-first mentality. As the Capitals now enter a transition phase with younger talent on the rise, Oshie’s legacy will loom large in the locker room and in the hearts of fans.
In closing, Oshie gave credit where he felt it was due: “I’ll always say this—it was my teammates who made me look good. I never could have done it without them.”
As one of the NHL’s class acts steps away from the game, the league says goodbye to a player who brought fire, passion, and joy every time he hit the ice. For fans in Washington and beyond, T.J. Oshie won’t be forgotten—because he played the game the way it’s meant to be played.
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