T.J. Oshie was already in the middle of planning a wedding, building a house and moving when he learned that he’d been traded, for the first time in his career, to the Washington Capitals.
But in his first appearance with the Capitals on Saturday morning, Oshie repeatedly broke out a grin talking about his excitement to join the team. Having to find a new house and adjust to a new city, it seemed, wasn’t phasing him at all.
“It was kind of hard to talk yesterday when me and my fiancee were just walking around because I was just so excited yesterday,” Oshie said. “After talking with the coaches I just wanted to start playing right away. So it’s all excitement here, I can’t wait to get here. I’m going to enjoy the summer, enjoy the wedding, enjoy the new house but I’m excited for the next chapter.”
The 28-year old winger, who has had three consecutive 50-point seasons, was acquired via trade on July 2 when the Capitals sent right wing Troy Brouwer, goalie prospect Pheonix Copley and a third-round pick in the 2016 draft to the St. Louis Blues. Oshie has spent all seven of his NHL seasons with the Blues, who drafted him 24th overall in 2005.
He’s getting a warm reception. On Saturday morning, when the team hosted Capitals Fan Fest featuring a scrimmage between players from development camp, the line for Oshie’s autograph stretched endlessly through doors and down hallways.
“The fans have been very welcoming, just kind of adding to the excitement for me to get here,” Oshie said. “I was always supported very well in St. Louis and it looks like Washington will be just like that.”
Oshie said that he and his fiancee picked a place they want to live, but that they haven’t made any final decisions yet. He said that multiple players reached out to him asking if he needed a realtor, and that he’s talked a lot with defenseman John Carlson, who he knows from the U.S. National Team.
“I was texting Carly last night about places to eat, just simple things so far but it’s really nice having them reach out,” Oshie said. “Hockey players have pretty busy summers, pretty short summers so for them to reach out and take the time to text me, it means a lot.”
Oshie said he’s focused on his wedding, set for July 25, for now. He will train in Minnesota for the rest of the summer before coming back to Washington for the start of September.
Oshie still has two years left on his contract at $4.175 million each year.
• Nora Princiotti can be reached at nprinciotti@washingtontimes.com.
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