Kolzig retires after 14 NHL seasons

[Forkboy]

TORONTO – After 14 seasons, veteran goaltender Olaf Kolzig announced his retirement today from the National Hockey League.

Kolzig, 39, a two-time NHL All-Star (1998, 2000) and former Vezina Trophy winner (2000), appeared in a total of 719 NHL games, 711 of those with the Washington Capitals. His 303 career wins rank him 21st all-time among goaltending wins leaders. Olaf also posted a career 2.71 GAA along with a .906 save percentage and 35 shutouts.

"I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to play the game of hockey at the NHL level for many seasons and I am grateful for everything the game has given me," said Kolzig. "I would like to thank my family, all my teammates and the fans for making my time in the NHL so special."

Drafted 19th overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals, Kolzig, 39, was the first South African-born player to be drafted into the NHL. Prior to joining the Capitals on a full-time basis, Kolzig played his junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL). On November 29, 1989, Kolzig achieved a rare feat for a goaltender when he scored a goal while with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL.

"Olie was the face of the Capitals franchise for years, on the ice, in the locker room and around Washington, D.C. He was a great Capital and the organization and our fans will always have fond memories of 'Olie the Goalie.' We wish him and his wonderful family all the best in his retirement."
-- Capitals Chairman/Owner Ted Leonsis

Kolzig retires with a number of Capitals goaltending records, including:

CAREER:
Games played (711)
Minutes (41,259)
Wins (301)
Save percentage (.906)
Saves (18,013)
Shutouts (35)

SINGLE SEASON:
Games played (73, 1999-00)
Minutes (4,371, 1999-00)
Wins (41, 1999-00)
Save percentage (.920, 1997-98)

"Olie" or "Godzilla" as he came to be known to fans and teammates, made his NHL debut in the 1989-90 season with the Capitals. While Kolzig appeared in game action with the Capitals in both the 1992-93 and 1993-94 seasons, he steadily began earning more playing time in 1994-95 in Washington. From the 1997-98 season through until the 2007-08 season, Kolzig provided exceptional play as the Capitals' starting goaltender.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499486

The highlight of his career for me was years ago against Boston when he and Bruins goalie Byron DaFoe got into a fight...Dafoe had been Kolzig's Best Man at his wedding in the offseason. :)

[TZ]

1. Olie the goalie will always be loved here

As you know I am not really a hockey fan. But it is impossible to be a sports fan in this town and not know Olie. I was sad when they cut him

[Forkboy]

4. He was always a Capital at heart.

He's a good guy. I hope he does well out of the game in whatever he does.

[Captain Hilts]

2. A wonderful man who was never the same after the birth of his first child with autism.

He now has two autistic children.

A gem of a man. A great Norfolk Admiral. I know folks that knew him there.

[Forkboy]

3. I know, a very sad situation for the family.

He's always been a class act within the game, so I'm not surprised to learn he was outside of the game as well.