Brooks Laich found out he was traded via his fiance’s phone
Brooks Laich found out that he was traded in about the most awkward way possible
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Brooks Laich was traded from the Washington Capitals late on Sunday night. When one is traded that late at night, they usually don’t find out in the most ideal fashion. However, Laich found out about the trade in an extremely painful and awkward manner.
Brooks Laich had phone off and was watching the Oscars w/fiance Julianne Hough when Brian MacLellan left a voice mail that he'd been traded.
— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) March 2, 2016
Laich is engaged to television personality Julianne Hough.
That’s an extremely horrible way to find out that you’ve been traded. It’s unfortunate that Laich had his cell phone off because he deserved a much better fate. Washington traded for Brooks Laich during the 2003-2004 season. He was traded for longtime Capitals forward Peter Bondra. For many Caps fans, Laich represented the final direct tie that Bondra had to the organization.
Laich played one game for the Senators before being traded to the Capitals. He played in 742 games with them. Laich saw the best of days and the worst of days. Washington received him when he was just a young player trying to prove himself. Capitals fans saw him grow into an excellent top six forward. Even once injuries hit him hard, Laich was still beloved by the fan base. Perhaps no trade that involved a fourth line forward has ever caused more tears than Laich being traded to Toronto.
Alex Ovechkin might have been (and still is) the face of the franchise, but Laich provided the voice. His blue collar attitude, kindness, and adoration for the DMV area made him a fan favorite. Laich scored 133 goals and had 191 assists for 324 points during his tenure in the nation’s capital. He will be missed by Capitals fans because he was more than just a player. Laich was a guy who the fans could relate to. Fans and players both leaned on for the right words during the best times and the hard times.
In an ideal world, Laich would have been the first guy Ovechkin handed the Stanley Cup to after this season. This trade is proof that this is far from an ideal world. Laich will return to the place he called home for 742 games on Wednesday when the Capitals host the Maple Leafs.