Richard Brooks Orpik
As a defenseman, Orpik played three seasons for the Boston College Eagles, which advanced to the Frozen Four in each of those seasons (1999, 2000, 2001). The Eagles captured the NCAA championship in his last season with the team (2001).
Orpik was selected in the first round of the NHL entry draft by Pittsburgh (2000) and made his NHL debut during the 2002-03 season, and by the following season he was a regular on the blueline for the Penguins. He played in parts of 11 seasons with Pittsburgh, and was known as a leader for the Penguins, serving as the team’s alternate captain behind Sydney Crosby. He helped the Penguins to a Stanley Cup Championship in 2009. He continued his NHL career with Washington for five seasons. In 2018, he scored the game-winning goal in Game 2 of the 2018 Stanley Cup finals, and the Caps went on to win the Cup against the Vegas Golden Knights.
He also represented the United States at the World Juniors in 1999 in Stockholm, and he helped Team USA grab a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, BC. Orpik represented team USA at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia as well.
In his 16-season NHL career, Orpik finished with 194 regular season points, and added 26 points in more than 150 postseason games. In 2018, he was a nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and community service.
Following his retirement from the NHL, Orpik has served as an assistant coach of the Boston College Eagles, and he is a member of the player development department for the Washington Capitals, working with defensive prospects in the team’s minor league system.