Washington Capitals retired jerseys: A deep look in franchise history

The Washington Capitals turn 50 this year babes so let's look back at the legends who donned the uniform and got their numbers raised to the rafters. Here's hoping Peter Bondra and Olaf Kolzig someday get their night. We all know Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom someday will.

#5 Rod Langway 1982-93

Rod Langway is nicknamed Secretary of Defense and for good reason. Starting his career drafted witht the Montral Canadiens, he helped them win the Stanley Cup at just 22 years old. Then he was traded to the Caps for the start of the 1982-83 season in the Save the Caps campaign.

It was a blockbuster trade as Abe Pollin and company acquired Doug Jarvis, Craig Laughlin, and Brian Engblom in return for Ryan Walter and Rick Green. That turned the tide for the franchise. It saved them from moving out of the area and stockpiled them for all of the 11 years Langway was on the team. The Caps never made the playoffs prior to the trade.

Langway was more than just a cool dude with a sweet nickname that was clutch. He was a leader in the locker room. He had an offensive shot like a cool breeze this time of year as we wait in anticipation for fall.

#7 Yvon Labre 1974-81

Yvon Labre was orginally drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins appearing in just 37 games before the Caps selected him in the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft. He would score the first ever home goal for the Caps in a game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Labre was a defensive defenseman and served as team captain from 1976 to 1978. Of course he remained involved in the Capitals organization after his playing career ended like you see him playing in the alumni game of the Winter Classic in Pittsburgh.

Labre has served as an assistant coach, color comentator, scout and even the director of community relations. His jersey number was retired on Nov. 22, 1981. In that 1974-75 season he had four goals and 23 assists for 27 points after the Caps scooped him from Pittsburgh.

In his seven years with the Caps he recorded 12 goals and 84 assists for 96 points. He also racked up 756 penalty minutes. 10 of his goals came at even strength while the other two were on the power play.

#11 Mike Gartner 1979-89

Mike Gartner was fast so much so that he was among the elites of the NHL as they listed him as one of their top 100 players during their 100th season.

"How do you stop Mike Gartner" It was a question NHL opponents pondered in the 1980s and 90s season. They didn't come up with many good solutions.

NHL.com would add: In the world's fastest sport, Gartner was the fastest player. Unlike many quick skaters, Gartner could handle the puck, pass it and get off blistering drives in full flight. His arsenal of shots -- all varieties and from all distances made him one of hockey's most dangerous forwards. He could score from everywhere and get there faster than anyone. Woe to the wing and defenseman assigned to check him -- and double-woe to the goalies he faced."

In his 10 seasons with the Caps he appeared in 758 games and recorded 397 goals and 392 assists for 789 points. His best season was in 1984-85 when he recorded 50 goals and 52 assists for 102 points.

Gartner's achievements include playing in the NHL All Star Game seven times including when the Capital Centre hosted the NHL ASG in 1982.