Capitals Celebrate Olympic Send-Off for Wilson, Thompson, and Fehervary
The Washington Capitals made sure their Olympians got a proper send-off Thursday night, honoring Tom Wilson, Logan Thompson, and Martin Fehervary before puck drop. It was a fitting tribute for three players about to live out a dream on the world’s biggest stage - the Winter Olympics.
Wilson and Thompson are heading to Milan as part of Team Canada, while Fehervary will suit up for his home country of Slovakia. For all three, it marks their first crack at Olympic hockey, and the excitement was written all over their faces.
Logan Thompson: From NHL Starter to Olympic Stage
Thompson’s journey to the Games has been anything but ordinary. After posting a solid 19-16-4 record to start the NHL season, along with a .912 save percentage, he earned his spot with Team Canada. That came on the heels of a breakout campaign last year where he finished among the league leaders in wins and save percentage, and even cracked the top five in Vezina Trophy voting.
Now, he’s taking that momentum overseas - and doing it with the right mindset.
“It’s a dream come true,” Thompson said. “I’m just going to go there and soak it all in and do any role they want me to, whether that’s practice goalie, backup, hand out the water bottles. I’m just going to be happy to be there and do whatever I can.”
That kind of humility speaks volumes. Thompson knows what it means to wear the maple leaf, and he’s ready to contribute however he can - whether he’s between the pipes or in the background helping the team prepare.
Tom Wilson: Veteran Leader with Gold on His Mind
Wilson, the rugged winger known for his physical presence and leadership in D.C., is also getting his first Olympic shot. And make no mistake - he’s not just there for the experience. He’s got his eyes on the prize.
“It’s obviously going to be the trip of a lifetime,” Wilson said. “We got a goal in mind, and it’s going to be exciting to get over there and just get the guys together and get rolling and start pushing and fighting towards our ultimate goal.”
Wilson’s game is built for tournament hockey - tough, fast, and relentless. He’ll bring an edge to Canada’s lineup, and don’t be surprised if he plays a key role in their push for gold.
Martin Fehervary: Shutdown Defender, New Dad, Olympian
While Wilson and Thompson will be chasing gold with Canada, Fehervary is heading to Milan with Slovakia - and he’s doing it after one of the busiest stretches of his life.
Fehervary has quietly become one of the league’s more reliable shutdown defensemen. He plays a smart, disciplined game, moves the puck well, and can chip in offensively when needed.
Through 58 games this season, he’s tallied 4 goals and 16 assists for 20 points, while leading the team with 119 blocked shots and throwing 72 hits along the way. He’s the kind of player who does the dirty work that doesn’t always show up on the scoresheet - but coaches and teammates notice.
His road to the Olympics wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, either. After undergoing meniscus surgery in the offseason, he spent months rehabbing to get back to full strength. And just days before heading to Italy, he and his girlfriend welcomed their first child, a daughter named Anna.
“It was really hectic... it’s just a lot of things going on,” Fehervary said. “But I’m just trying to focus on those little small details. Obviously hard, but exciting as well.”
It’s been a whirlwind, but Fehervary’s focus hasn’t wavered. He’ll be anchoring Slovakia’s blue line when they open their Olympic campaign against Finland on Wednesday.
What’s Next
The Olympic hockey tournament kicks off midweek, with Fehervary and Slovakia facing off against Finland on Wednesday. Wilson, Thompson, and Team Canada will take on Czechia on Thursday.
For the Capitals, it’s a proud moment - seeing three of their own represent their countries on the international stage. And for Wilson, Thompson, and Fehervary, it’s the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. Now, they get to chase Olympic glory.