‘I Won’t Let Go’: Story Behind Capitals’ Player Of Game Rope & New Motto

As the Washington Capitals captured their first victory of the 2022-23 season on Saturday over the Montreal Canadiens, a wild locker room celebration broke out, featuring a grip test, a Polaroid camera and, most eye-grabbing, a giant coiled rope that holds a heavy meaning for the club.

The rope is the Capitals 2022-23 player of the game award. In the past two seasons, the team used “Cobra Kai” headbands and a Viking axe and shield. This season, it’s a long, coiled rope, and it goes hand in hand with the team’s new motto: “I won’t let go.”

“It’s how important every member of the team their hands on the rope. It’s hard to win a day, it’s hard to win a game, it’s hard to win in your division, it’s hard to qualify for the playoffs, it’s hard to win a Stanley Cup,” head coach Peter Laviolette explained. “Just how important everybody’s hands are on the rope.”

Laviolette got the rope from the Arlington County Fire Station 2, which is within walking distance of MedStar Capitals Iceplex. He visited the firefighters and first responders at the station and asked them to explain the significance of the rope and provide one for the team’s post-win award. The value it holds is exactly the message Laviolette hopes his team takes in stride.

“They coiled that thing up really quick,” Laviolette said. “They use that rope to save lives. How important it is for their hands to be on the rope and making sure that nobody slips and nobody lets go, it’s just got a nice meaning to it.

READ MORE ON WHN: Washington Capitals Sign Forward Sonny Milano

“The rope’s got meaning, [the station is] right near our rink… They pull people from buildings or send them down from burning buildings, they save lives with that type of rope,” he added. “It’s that symbol of how important your hands are that they don’t slip and they don’t let go.”

‘Community-First’: Capitals’ Hathaway Talks Hath’s Heroes, Giving Back To First Responders

Washington’s players also received shirts that feature the vintage screaming eagle holding the rope on the back, with the words “I won’t let go” etched underneath.

Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson were the first players to pass on the rope, and it went to Erik Gustafsson, who has two assists through three games to open the year. The Swedish blueliner made a short speech. And after that, he a grip strength test and had Backstrom take his photo with a Polaroid to capture the moment.

“They’re a lively group, they want to have fun,” Laviolette said. “Winning’s hard. Take a quick minute and recognize the win and you move on. You got to win the next one.”

The Capitals hope that they’ll get to pass it out again on Monday when they take on the Vancouver Canucks at 7 p.m.