Photo: @Hannah_Hovey
For twelve seasons, Brooks Laich was an important part of the Washington Capitals. Traded for one of the franchise’s then-greatest player (Peter Bondra), Laich managed to carve a niche for himself through hard work. He also was a gentleman to every Caps fan he came across. There were no exceptions.
A few years ago, Laich gave me one of my favorite memories while doing this site (besides him talking about his time playing lockout hockey in Switzerland). I went to Orioles Park at Camden Yards with Chris Gordon to cover Laich’s ceremonial first pitch. Laich was named after hall of fame third baseman Brooks Robinson and the Orioles organization wanted to honor him. Somehow, he and Ben Guerrero (former Caps PR) knew I was a huge fan of the team, so they allowed us to go along on part of Laich’s private tour of the Orioles clubhouse. Because of this, for about a minute I was rubbing elbows with Chris Davis and Adam Jones and walking wide-eyed through the Orioles’ weight room. It meant a lot to me.
Laich didn’t have to do that, but that’s just who he was: a guy who would take that extra moment to make you feel special. Last night, just as a cathartic exercise, I asked readers to tweet us their moments with Laich over the years. The response was staggering. It really gives you an idea of how many people he inspired over the years. He will be missed.
@russianmachine last yr’s washington auto show w/ me & my son. such an awesome guy who my son loved #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/at0xukTb7J
— Gene Wu (@TheWuWu) February 29, 2016
I just told my son now @brookslaich is no longer a @washcaps & now a @MapleLeafs player #sadface @russianmachine pic.twitter.com/EiigxIXQp3
— Gene Wu (@TheWuWu) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine highlight of my life. pic.twitter.com/iKsjk1ymYF
— Macy (@macydanielle93) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine he was always cool about the bruins thing and so kind. also the second pic was necessary pic.twitter.com/RcOoM0pqdk
— Arian (@afgbruins21) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine This is when he called me his son :'( pic.twitter.com/LUeKvSeyQK
— Chris Cerullo (@CJC_95) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine driving to a game this year for my birthday pulled up next to him at a stop light Best birthday ever pic.twitter.com/UDF5ljIUQx
— Hannah Marie (@Hannah_Hovey) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine this is me chasing Brooks in the Verizon Game Center commercial and a signing at a Verizon store. pic.twitter.com/hy2Adpt3Ls
— Eric Rigsby (@ericrigsb) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine after Carlson, Ovi, and Brooks were done with the shoot for the commercial, Brooks thanked EVERY extra out there.
— Eric Rigsby (@ericrigsb) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine I lost and edge during a couple takes. Carlson made fun of me. It was awesome. At the signing, Brooks remembered.
— Eric Rigsby (@ericrigsb) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine he literally jumped out of the chair to shake my hand. He talked to my wife, son, and I for a while. He is awesome.
— Eric Rigsby (@ericrigsb) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine 21 was hurt at the time, but just as generous and upbeat as ever. True model of class and hard work. pic.twitter.com/O8GhtEWPtY
— Mahesh Prasad (@letsgocaps819) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine no photos but he’s the only cap Ive ever gotten a reaction from a few years back when he was injured pic.twitter.com/CytTrkp7Im
— Dakota El-Bisi (@DakotaConduct) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine Here’s my wife and kid with @BrooksLaich and Matt Bradley in 2011. #ThankYouBrooks. We’ll miss you. pic.twitter.com/On2LQwSHy5
— Eddie Pasa (@EddiePasa) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine i didn’t wanna pay $30 to meet him so i waited until the signing was over and got this for free 🙂 pic.twitter.com/UrJC87FmIU
— Victoria Dravis (@victoriadravis) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine at a signing at window nation in 2012. Also saw him and Wilson last year but cant find the photo. pic.twitter.com/X7StFXdBlI
— Meghan Ragghianti (@mragghianti) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #ThankYouBrooks for always being awesome, both on and off the ice. You will be missed in DC! pic.twitter.com/0ZTYyN5TS7
— amanda (@amandaclockwood) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine I have so many great fan memories w/him,will truly miss him! class act until the end #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/HetVknXcTh
— Margaret McGuire (@Margefro87) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine went to my first Caps practice at Kettler and Brooks was the first person I met. #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/kmZPMC1Bxx
— Nate Temple (@NateTemple_WVU) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/WEIlHyeRqI
— Noah (@HoltItHere) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine at bar Louie while laich was out on injury, he was with Ryan Kerrigan pic.twitter.com/qCY9omLWTj
— Adam Walker (@AdamWalker4real) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine back in 2010 and a jersey selfie when he became longest tenured…going to miss ole Brooksy pic.twitter.com/AHkCzFsofQ
— Mark Flores (@DisMahgoodeye) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #ThankYouBrooks @byrnenotice11 pic.twitter.com/FhCEVAFMvG
— Kate Rust (@rustkate) February 29, 2016
Me and u together since my 1st year..We make this team together! Im gonna miss u bro good luck to u!Gonna miss u! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/feKvUGV6TK
— Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine pic.twitter.com/DgGvoqJ0lx
— Halli Powers (@hrpowers58) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine @macydanielle93 and I with @brookslaich at @KettlerIceplex always a nice guy! pic.twitter.com/ICtgLjU3DF
— Becky Peiler (@CapsGrl) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #thankyouBrooks pic.twitter.com/qUkfULvify
— Hope (@blknblufanatic) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine met Brooks last year. Such a stand-up dude pic.twitter.com/BEDsCfF0pR
— Ashley Stanton (@A_Stanton1031) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine pic.twitter.com/PsyQCjuQFL
— Kim Prather (@kgreenie52) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine first time my kids met a @washcaps player. He was so sweet to them. #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/ap551rjla6
— Tina (@usmcvet85) February 29, 2016
Thanks for the memories @brookslaich DC will miss you! Good luck in Toronto! @russianmachine @washcaps pic.twitter.com/6nGu0J4HJO
— Becky Peiler (@CapsGrl) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine he will always be a cap to me! #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/MuAqvjTO56
— Danielle Flaherty ❤️ (@d_flaherty214) February 29, 2016
.@russianmachine met him at Kettler this summer. He dropped my Sharpie top & helped me find it. #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/ddR3SesvXV
— FatouFIERCE (@FatouSadio) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine He was the very 1st Cap I’d taken a picture with & he was nothing but a gentleman.Thank you, Brooks! pic.twitter.com/rAuk0CkvSl
— Rae (@raedanda) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine after he left, then I freaked out! pic.twitter.com/2TfTuqdsPN
— Jen Lazur True (@jenlazur) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine – he’s why my son loves hockey. Signed his jersey pic.twitter.com/oGAH7v5BHS
— Terpsrule (@Terpsrule) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #thankyoubrooks pic.twitter.com/mFIAWnSNFq
— Beth (@bethb324) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine gonna miss you so much Brooks. Thanks for being such a great capital and great guy. Best of luck! pic.twitter.com/Mll4XPuAgQ
— Jack Vance (@jackisback70) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine had the pleasure of sharing the ice with him a few years ago. pic.twitter.com/a9CXW73dC6
— Alex Sweeney (@A_Sweeney13) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine w/ my son at Kettler practice. Brooks told a fan he cherishes time playing w/ hockey team-family pic.twitter.com/0dy48xmKad
— Tom Berens (@tomberens) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/pdyxVHHQxW
— Casey (@caseyragg) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine Don’t Laich it, but i get it…Thank you for rocking for red. Wish you the best! XOXO pic.twitter.com/qV2C5xYjha
— Bmore Fan (@egoddess1) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine at the season ticket holder party two years ago. Best of luck @brookslaich #thankyoubrooks pic.twitter.com/YgnSxECOK0
— Alex Scalera (@alex_scalera) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine Caps Convention 2011 pic.twitter.com/NILjH8zJFY
— Marisa Strickler (@mgstricks) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine Casino Night 2012 pic.twitter.com/fe8XayhenZ
— Marisa Strickler (@mgstricks) February 29, 2016
Good luck @brookslaich in Toronto. Will miss you! #HLIH pic.twitter.com/XsBaZOONMp
— Tom Wilson (@tom_wilso) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine Always talked & signed stuff for my daughter & friends. Great guy & will be missed. #ThanksBrooks pic.twitter.com/wYCNj5iLD6
— Michelle (@ScreamingMimiW) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine @ScarletCaps always great to my kiddos. #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/bBkeKCJTCy
— Breanne (@BreanneRodino) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine this is from @jcalvert247 who’s locked pic.twitter.com/6PgmkP02sI
— jennrubenstein (@jennrubenstein) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine @ianoland #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/Yg2tOfd3Es
— Shea Crispell (@SheaCrispell) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/OnFvVw9aD6
— maeve mcquillan (@MaeveMcquillan) February 29, 2016
At the Leafs game with the puck Brooks Laich gave to him 12/12/09. @russianmachine @brookslaich #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/YFGQcbPSj9
— Video Frank (@Video_Frank) February 29, 2016
@russianmachine @brookslaich with my son Zach after a practice in 2010 #ThankYouBrooks pic.twitter.com/F5TYC2geBr
— Vicky Meckes (@Beloved_Freak13) February 29, 2016
