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Washington Capitals: Top 5 greatest centers of all-time

By Michael Marzzacco

Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Alex Brandon/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Alex Brandon/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
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Dale Hunter, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Craig Me
Dale Hunter, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Craig Me /

#2 Dale Hunter

Dale Hunter was the Caps old version of Tom Wilson. Like Wilson, Hunter lived rent free in his opponent’s heads. Hunter was a Caps center for 12 seasons and a head coach for half a season. He served as a team captain from 1994-1999. He currently coaches the London Knights and has coached top prospect Connor McMichael.

Hunter leads the Caps in career penalty minutes with 2,003. On the night of his number retirement, he received the penalty box from the old Capital Centre as a gift. Hunter scored 22 goals and 37 assists for 59 points in his first season with the Caps in 1987-88. He also scored a clutch goal that spring against the Philadelphia Flyers that helped the Caps advance to the next round. At that time, it was the greatest playoff goal in Caps history.

Hunter had five seasons where he scored 20 or more goals. His best season came in 1991-92 where he scored 28 goals and added 50 assists for 78 points. In the playoffs he led the team with seven goals in the 1993 Patrick Division Semifinals.

After Bruce Boudreau was fired in Nov. 2011, Hunter took over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He guided the Caps to a first round upset over the Boston Bruins before bowing out in the second round in seven games to the New York Rangers.

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