Hearts Breaking All Around Hockey World: Laich Takes Puck to the Face

Brooks Laich

One of the biggest female fan favorites on the Capitals' roster, Brooks Laich, is expected to miss at least two games after taking a puck to the face in practice yesterday. Per Tarik over at Capitals Insider, not sure the extent of the damage to Laich's handsome mug, but it doesn't sound pretty. Brooks is also known as one of the hardest working guys on the ice, getting in the mix and not afraid to dust it up with anyone to get to the net. He will be missed for sure tonight as the boys take on those birds from the Arctic netherlands led by that Crosby guy. Hockey Mom joins the legions of Caps fans everywhere in wishing Brooks a speedy recovery.

In other news, I'm sure you've heard all the news surrounding the arrest of a local chiropractor for steroid distribution. This guy (who claims to be "the" chiropractor for the Capitals - which is hogwash) has connections to the Florida man who was arrested earlier  on similar charges. HM's personal opinion is that these so-called rumours of steroid use by former and current Caps are indeed a complete bunch of bunk and the Capitals released their own statement regarding this issue yesterday:

Washington Capitals statement

March 23, 2010

Florida law enforcement authorities have continued their steroid investigation following the arrest of Florida resident Richard Thomas in May 2009. The Washington Capitals are not the target of this investigation, and there is no evidence that steroids were provided to any Capitals players.

This has been a thorough investigation, and we are satisfied that law enforcement, the NHL and our own internal investigation have not led to any link of steroid use by Capitals players.


The investigation included conversations with the Washington Capitals as far back as September 2009, and we were and have been fully cooperative and transparent in the past as well as today.

Dr. Douglas Owen Nagel, a Virginia chiropractor who was arrested today, is not affiliated with the Washington Capitals and is not the “team chiropractor,” as he has stated. Dr. Nagel’s office, however, has seen some of our players for standard, routine chiropractic services.


As part of the NHL’s drug policy, Capitals players are randomly tested up to three times per year by an independent testing agency, which sends the samples to the World Anti Doping Association for testing. Capitals players have been tested twice so far this year. At no time in our history has a Capitals player ever tested positive.