Brooks Orpik is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 seasons. He was born on September 26, 1980, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in Amherst, New York. Orpik began his hockey career playing for the Nichols School in Buffalo, New York, before moving on to play for Boston College.
Orpik was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his NHL debut in 2002. He quickly established himself as a physical and reliable defenseman, known for his hard hits and shot-blocking abilities. Orpik played for the Penguins for 11 seasons, during which he won the Stanley Cup in 2009 and was named an alternate captain in 2008.
In 2014, Orpik signed with the Washington Capitals as a free agent, where he played for the next five seasons. He was named an alternate captain for the Capitals in 2016 and helped lead the team to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2018. Orpik retired from professional hockey in 2019, having played in a total of 1035 NHL games.
Throughout his career, Orpik was known for his physical play and leadership abilities. He was a respected veteran in the locker room and was often called upon to mentor younger players. Orpik was also known for his charitable work off the ice, including his involvement with the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program, which provides opportunities for wounded veterans to play hockey.
Despite his success on the ice, Orpik also faced his fair share of injuries throughout his career. He suffered a concussion in 2013 that kept him out of the lineup for several weeks, and he underwent surgery for a herniated disc in his neck in 2017. Despite these setbacks, Orpik remained a key player for his teams and was known for his toughness and resilience.
Overall, Brooks Orpik had a successful and memorable career in the NHL. He was a two-time Stanley Cup champion, a respected leader, and a physical force on the ice. Orpik's contributions to the sport of hockey will not be forgotten, and he will be remembered as one of the game's toughest and most respected players.
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