Holtby, Kolzig Provide Mentorship at Capitals Rookie Camp

Washington Capitals rookie camp is officially underway, with Day Two of Four taking place today at McMullen Hockey Arena. Before each session with all of the skaters, which begins at 11:00 A.M., the goalies get some specific work in for half an hour starting at 10:30. Two familiar faces within the organization between the pipes, Olie Kolzig and Braden Holtby, run the goalie drills for the three rookie camp attendees. There could not be two better netminders helping out these goalies.

Holtby and Kolzig’s Experiences Speak for Themselves

Simply put, Olie Kolzig and Braden Holtby are the two best goalies to ever play for the Washington Capitals. In the franchise’s all-time wins category in the crease, Kolzig and Holtby are ranked number one and two. Kolzig played in 711 games for Washington, while Holtby suited up for 468. In that span, Kolzig won 301 games, and Holtby won 282. Not to mention, both finished their Capitals careers tied in shutouts with 35 each. Both also played crucial roles in leading the organization to the Stanley Cup Final.

(From Left): Braden Holtby and Olie Kolzig during Day 1 of Capitals rookie camp (Nathan Moser/Washington Hockey Now)

Kolzig won several honors during his NHL career, including the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie during the 1999-2000 campaign. He also won the NHL Foundation Player Award in 2000-01 and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2005-06. He also suited up for two NHL All-Star Games in 1998 and 2000. As for Holtby, he won the Vezina for his performances for Washington during the 2015-16 season. He also won the William M. Jennings Trophy following the 2016-17 campaign.

The biggest difference between the two is that Holtby won the Cup in 2018. However, there have been arguments about whether Kolzig would have a ring if the goalies were on the opposite Cup Final teams and Holtby might not. The debate about who is the best ever for the organization can be discussed. Both were spectacular in their own right during their playing days.

Both Goalies Helping at Rookie Camp

Now, both Kolzig and Holtby are doing their best to provide mentorship to the next group of goalies. Among the rookie camp roster for 2024 are three goalies in Garin Bjorklund, Seth Eisele, and Collin MacKenzie. Bjorklund was drafted by the Capitals in the sixth round (179th overall) of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He played the last two seasons in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays.

I asked Bjorklund about the impact both Kolzig and Holtby have had on him. He said, “It’s been awesome. Someone like Olie, he’s a legend in the Caps organization. He’s always there to help you when you need it, give you some tips and some wisdom and if there’s any advice you need. He’s been through this song and dance before so he’s the guy you can always go and ask questions to.”

Like Kolzig, the same can be said for what Holtby brings as a mentor. Bjorklund said on Holtby, “…He’s someone that I kind of grew up watching, someone I idolized. Now, just being able to talk to him and pick his brain a little bit, it’s awesome. Those guys are two really important guys to this organization and I’m happy I’m able to have them as a resource.”

Day Two of Capitals rookie camp starts at 10:30 A.M. with goalie ice at McMullen Hockey Arena in Annapolis, Maryland. Then, at 11:00 A.M., the rest of the rookie camp players will head onto the ice for practice until 12:30 P.M. All sessions for rookie camp are open to the public, and attendance is free of charge.