Organization will retire Gartner’s jersey this year
The Capitals announced Tuesday that former star right wing Mike Gartner will have his No. 11 jersey retired Dec. 28 before a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Gartner spent the first 10 of his 19 NHL seasons with the Caps. The organization’s first-round draft pick in 1979 — fourth overall — Gartner registered 36 goals as a rookie and at least 35 in his first nine NHL seasons. A seven-time All-Star, he ranks second in Caps history in goals (397), assists (392) and points (789). Gartner was elected to the NHL Hall of Fame in 2001.
“You don’t want to live in the past, but it’s important to look back sometimes at the things you’ve accomplished,” said Gartner, who also played for the Minnesota North Stars, New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes and his hometown Maple Leafs. “My two oldest children were born in Maryland. The Caps are a big part of my past.”
Gartner is one of only three Caps players to top 100 points in a season. He was also part of the first six Caps teams to qualify for postseason play and led his team in playoff scoring four times. No player in NHL history produced as many 30-goal seasons as Gartner (17), who joins fellow Hall-of Famer Rod Langway (No. 5), Dale Hunter (No. 32) and Yvon Labre (No. 7) as former Caps whose jersey the organization retired.
“He was a great player and a great ambassador for our team,” said Caps owner Ted Leonsis. “Mike really was the first Capitals superstar.”
