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Washington Capitals: Time to retire Peter Bondra’s number

By Ron Juckett |
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 30: Washington Capitals alumni Peter Bondra plays in the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic media skate on December 30, 2014 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will take place on New Year's Day with the Washington Capitals playing the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 30: Washington Capitals alumni Peter Bondra plays in the 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic media skate on December 30, 2014 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The 2015 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will take place on New Year's Day with the Washington Capitals playing the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals made history winning the Stanley Cup. Time to honor the past and retire Peter Bondra’s No. 12. A night long overdue.

The Washington Capitals won their Stanley Cup. Now, it is time to honor their history. A good first step is hanging Peter Bondra’s jersey from the rafters.

Before Alex Ovechkin stole the heart of fans, Bondra’s prowess filled the pages of newspapers and George Michael’s Sports Machine. Along with Olaf Kolzig, Bondra speared the effort to reach Washington’s other Stanley Cup Final in 1998.

That year, Bondra slapped a career-high 52 in the net. The second time he led the NHL. From that 52, 13 would win games. Again, a league-leading career high.

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An eighth-round draft pick from the Soviet Union in 1990, he made the Caps in his first season in North America at 22. In 1993, Bondra netted his first 30-goal season. Two years later, in a lockout-shortened campaign, he led the league with 34 goals in 47 games.

In 1995-96, the last true NHL offensive season, Bondra scored 52 in 67 games. The first of three consecutive 45-plus goal campaigns. At the turn of the century, he enjoyed a fourth 45-goal season and a 39 effort in 2001-02.

Those two years saw Bondra own the power play. Although he had double-digit power-play goals seven times, those two seasons, he led the NHL with 22 and 17, respectively. In the lockout year of 1994-95, his six shorthanded goals topped the charts.

Give him a look and Bondra delivered. In 961 games with Washington, he scored 472 times. Come the playoffs, he lit the lamp 30 times in 80 games. In their first-round loss to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins, he scored six times on 16 shots in 1992. A shooting percentage of 37.2 is legendary.

Six times he scored a playoff game-winner. In Game 3 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals, his blast past Dominik Hasek and the Buffalo Sabres gave the Caps a 2-1 series lead. One which they would never relinquish.

Without question, Bondra is the best right-winger in Caps history. Although his overall numbers are down between the lockout and NHL style change to the dreaded neutral-zone trap, he was a top ten scorer six times. He deserves a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Next: A long-term look at goalie

Peter Bondra deserves his night at the Capital One Arena. It is important the Washington Capitals recognize their entire history. With the Cup in hand, he is a great place to start.

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