As part of the texts in the “Tête-à-tête avec…” series, we speak with players from the world of hockey to learn more about their lives on and off the ice. This edition features Washington Capitals development coach and former goaltender Olaf Kolzig.
ARLINGTON, Virg. – Olaf Kolzig has been rather busy last week in Washington.
On Thursday, the 53-year-old former goaltender attended the Capitals’ 4-3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings in a preseason game with around 20 former players from the organization, including his former teammates Peter Bondra, Dmitri Khristich and Ken Klee. But the next day, he was at the Capitals training complex to attend training camp, since he is a development coach with the team. And finally, later in the day, he took to the ice with other alumni as part of a fans’ dream camp, in addition to participating in a benefit cocktail, the proceeds of which were donated to the Capitals Alumni Foundation for the Community.
Two busy days, but ones Kolzig loved.
“It’s great,” Kolzig said. This is an initiative that began just before the arrival of COVID. Peter Bondra and the team staff have really tackled this and are trying to put something in place that will hopefully allow us to compete with St. Louis, Philly and Chicago. We’re trying to convince Braden Holtby to join us. Mike Green and Karl Alzner were present. The more guys who retire, the stronger we will be. »
Kolzig, who hung up his pads in 2009 after 17 seasons in the NHL (16 with Washington), holds the Capitals record for wins (301) and is tied for first in shutouts with Holtby (35). During his career, he won the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender in the NHL, in 1999-2000, as well as the King Clancy Trophy, awarded each year to the NHL player who best exemplifies his qualities. of leadership on and off the ice and who made a remarkable humanitarian contribution to the community in 2005-2006.
Kolzig came close to winning the Stanley Cup as a player in 1998, when the Capitals reached the final before being swept by the Red Wings. After retiring, he was hired as goaltending coach in 2011, which allowed him to finally have his name on the Cup when the Capitals were crowned champions in 2018.
When the alumni of the organization meet, do you immediately start telling each other stories from your playing days?
” For sure! We remember our presence in [finale de la Coupe Stanley en 1998] and all the guys we faced that we now coach. We talk about our children. When we were playing together, I didn’t have any children, and a (guy) like Ken Klee had very young ones. Suddenly mine are in college and his kids have graduated. It’s crazy how much life changes, and it’s great to catch up and see how everyone is doing. »
What is your best memory from your days as a player? Is this the route to the Cup final in 1998?
“On the ice, I would say that’s it. The year I won the King Clancy Trophy is probably the year I am most proud of. My father had just passed away, and I received this award for my leadership on and off the ice. Our actions off the ice are so important because they have an impact on people, and it allows you to help those who are less fortunate. Athletes, we have a platform and we can make a huge difference. That’s why I’m proud to have won this trophy, and I know my father would have been proud, while my mother was there. »
Was having your name on the Stanley Cup after the Capitals’ victory in 2018 a balm on the wound left by the defeat in the final in 1998?
” Absolutely. For me, it wasn’t about having my name on the Cup, even though it’s special. But I wanted to be part of a team that won the Cup, even if it was as a member of management, since everyone, whether in player development or coaches, had a say . Ultimately, it’s up to the players to perform, but we helped them to be ready.
You were Alex Ovechkin’s teammate when he started in the NHL. Would you have thought he would score 822 goals in the NHL and be on the heels of Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894?
” No way. I never thought anyone could come close to Gretzky’s record. I’m not taking anything away from the goalkeepers of the past, but now the teams play in a different way, the goalkeepers are excellent, without forgetting the longevity. He remained healthy most of his career. He’s a special guy. Whether he gets the record or not, in my opinion, he’s the best natural scorer in history. »
As a coach, do you only work with goalkeepers?
” No. Since Jimmy (Slater) and Brooks (Orpik) are involved, I don’t have to go see all of our prospects. They take care of attackers and defenders, but if there is one of our prospects who plays in my region […] or who comes to play at Tri City (the WHL team he co-owns), I’m going to go see him.
What did the Hershey Bears winning the Calder Cup last season mean for the organization, and in particular, for the young players who were in action and are now trying to secure a position in the NHL ?
“No matter the level, when you win, it’s good for the organization, because this feeling of being winners will never disappear. You know what you can offer when there is pressure. That’s what I realized after winning the Calder Cup (with Portland in 1994), and I was able to use it during our run in 1998. I knew what it was. You know what it means to make a big save or score a big goal. You don’t crumble under pressure, and it will spread to the big club. This is why everyone wants to look for players who have won. »
2023-10-03 03:41:47
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