Brooks Orpik facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brooks Orpik
Orpik with the Washington Capitals in April 2016
Born	(1980-09-26) September 26, 1980 (age 44) San Francisco, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Left
Played for	Pittsburgh Penguins Washington Capitals
National team	United States
NHL Draft	18th overall, 2000 Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career	2001–2019

Richard Brooks Orpik (born September 26, 1980) is a retired American ice hockey player. He was a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL). Brooks played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals. He was known as a strong defensive player and a leader in the locker room. Orpik won the Stanley Cup twice. He won with the Penguins in 2009 and with the Capitals in 2018. He is the only player to win the Stanley Cup with both of these rival teams.

After retiring from playing, Brooks became an assistant coach for the Boston College Eagles. He also works for the Washington Capitals. His job is to help young defensive players develop their skills.

Early Life

Brooks Orpik was born in San Francisco, California. This was just a few months after the U.S. Olympic hockey team's famous "Miracle on Ice" win in 1980. Because of this, he was named after the American Olympic coach, Herb Brooks. Brooks and his brother Andrew grew up in Amherst, New York. He went to high school at the Nichols School in Buffalo and Thayer Academy in Braintree.

Playing Career

College Hockey

Orpik played college hockey for three seasons at Boston College. He played for the Eagles ice hockey team. During his time there, his team won the Hockey East playoff championship in 1999 and 2001. They also won the big NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship in 2001. His younger brother, Andrew, also played hockey for Boston College.

Professional Hockey

Pittsburgh Penguins (2001–2014)

The Pittsburgh Penguins chose Brooks Orpik in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 18th player picked overall. He started his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL) in the 2001–02 season. He played for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Brooks made his NHL debut in the 2002–03 season. He played six games that year. The next year, he earned a full-time spot on the team. He played in 79 games, scoring one goal and nine assists.

Orpik during the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals.

In March 2006, Orpik was suspended for three games for a play that injured a player from the Carolina Hurricanes.

In 2008, Orpik signed a new six-year contract with the Penguins. In October 2008, he was named an alternate captain for the team. This meant he helped lead the team alongside Evgeni Malkin and captain Sidney Crosby.

Orpik with the Penguins in January 2012.

On June 12, 2009, Brooks Orpik and the Penguins won the Stanley Cup. They beat the Detroit Red Wings in a thrilling Game 7. He was the first player from California to win the Stanley Cup.

On December 17, 2011, Orpik reached 100 career points. This happened when he got an assist on a goal by Evgeni Malkin.

On May 11, 2013, Orpik scored an important goal in overtime. This goal helped the Penguins beat the New York Islanders in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was his first goal ever in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

In December 2013, Orpik was involved in a play with a Boston Bruins player. Another Bruins player, Shawn Thornton, then hit Orpik. Thornton was suspended for 15 games because of this.

Washington Capitals (2014–2019)

Orpik with the Washington Capitals in the 2015 NHL Winter Classic

On July 1, 2014, Brooks Orpik signed a five-year contract with the Washington Capitals. He joined them as a free agent.

In a playoff game in 2016 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Orpik received a three-game suspension for a play involving a Penguins defenseman.

Orpik (left) with Alexander Ovechkin and Ted Leonsis in June 2018 during the Capitals 2018 Stanley Cup championship parade

On April 23, 2018, Orpik was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is given to a player who shows great leadership and helps their community. In the 2018 playoffs, Orpik scored a game-winning goal in Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Finals. This was his first goal since February 2016. On June 7, 2018, Orpik and the Capitals won the Stanley Cup. They beat the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. This was the first Stanley Cup win for the Capitals. It was Orpik's second Stanley Cup victory.

On June 22, 2018, Orpik was traded to the Colorado Avalanche. This trade was made to help the Capitals manage their team's salary cap. However, the Avalanche told him he would either be traded again or released. He was released a day later. On July 24, he signed a new one-year contract to return to the Washington Capitals.

Orpik scored an overtime game-winning goal in Game 2 of the 2019 playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes. This gave the Capitals a 2–0 lead in the series. This was Orpik's last NHL goal. The Capitals eventually lost the series in seven games.

On June 25, 2019, Brooks Orpik announced he was retiring from professional hockey. Soon after, the Capitals hired him as a Player Development coach.

International Play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Silver	2010 Vancouver

In 1999, Orpik played for the United States in the 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

In 2009, Orpik was invited to a special camp to prepare for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was chosen to be on the American team. The team won a silver medal, finishing second behind Canada.

Personal Life

Brooks Orpik is married to Erin Orpik. They have two daughters together.

His teammates sometimes called him "Free Candy." The reason for this nickname is not clear.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and Honors

Orpik receives the Penguins Defensive Player of the Year Award for 2009–10.