“I didn’t win it, but I am part of the organization,” Bondra explains. “Somehow, when I look at the ring, I think I am part of it.”
Bondra, a native of Slovakia, began his current job in October of 2017. The timing was perfect. “It was so much fun having the year we had,” Bondra says. “It made my transition easy for everything on the business side.”
The 50-year-old Bondra loves his current hockey job, but he also has an interest in being an NHL coach or holding a front-office position. He’s been a general manager before, serving in that role for Slovakia’s national team. Bondra still looks like he can play, breezing through workouts at an area gym and hitting the ice for a light skate during alumni games.
For his accomplishments with the Capitals, the D.C. Sports Hall of Fame inducted him last year, and the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in 2016. Before Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, the 6-foot, 200-pound Bondra held several franchise offensive records. He’s a five-time All-Star who finished his 17-year career, which also included time with Atlanta, Ottawa, and Chicago, with 503 goals, which ranks 43rd in NHL history. When you consider Bondra was an eighth-round draftpick in 1990, he defied odds to have a long, successful career.
Bondra also helped the Capitals in 1998 reach the Stanley Cup final, when the Detroit Red Wings swept the Cinderella team. What’s Up? Media recently sat down to talk to Bondra about the Capitals winning the Stanley Cup, the ring he received, the satisfaction of his job, and watching his two sons play collegiate and professional hockey.
What was your reaction to the Capitals winning the Cup?
I am close to the team. The reaction was overwhelming. I think I almost cried. I was at Capital One Arena for a viewing party of 18,000-plus people and there were so many more people outside. It was a moment of joy and relief after 44 years of not winning. It really felt great. I am proud of it and it still feels great now when I think about.
Does winning the Cup bring a great sense of pride to the alumni? Are you hearing from alumni who haven’t been engaged as much before?
It does. Whoever played for the Capitals should feel part of this celebration. We have tried to be more active. We are bringing more guys into town and making sure the fans see them on the JumboTron and interact with them. People are calling, saying hi, and sending notes. It’s a good time to build my association deeper and create some new opportunities. We have the last couple of years.
How do you enjoy your job with the Capitals so far?What do you do?
I work with a great group of people, including (Capitals owner) Ted (Leonsis). It’s a lot of fun to be honest with you. I felt from day one I was part of the team. I was part of the team before I got hired. This made it official. I am like in an ambassador role. There’s meet-and-greets and Q-and-As with our clients who are the sponsors in the building. I interact with the fans. We try to be more active in the community and involve more guys to do good things.
What kind of changes did you bring to the Capitals Alumni Association?
To be more active. I created two events. One event in Annapolis was an alumni fantasy game. That was for a good cause. I sold the spots to fill up each team. We brought in over $100,000 to Monumental Sports Entertainment charities. It was a good event, we got great feedback, and most of the participants are CEOs of companies. We did a Bourbon & Cigar Fundraiser. I had a chance to bring in a lot of guys who haven’t been associated with the Capitals in the past. They came and we spent a good weekend together. It was all for agood cause.
How satisfying was it for you to watch your two sons play college hockey?
I was lucky because my kids got a chance to see me play. I am glad they got a chance to pursue their dream and play hockey. Nick is playing at Amherst College. My oldest son (David) decided to pursue a hockey career after Michigan State. He’s having fun playing professionally (in Slovakia). He made the Slovakian National Team for the world championships. I was so proud of him and overwhelmed to see him play on that level.
What do you do nowadays to stay in shape?
I am lucky to leave the game healthy and be active. I am a guy who has a lot of energy so I never sit on the couch. I always find myself doing something like going for a run, rollerblade, bike, playing tennis, or golf. When I retired, I tried playing soccer, but I took a beating. I work out (at an Annapolis gym) in the cold months three or four times a week. I do spin classes. I also have a gym in my house.
Do you spend a lot of time in your home country?
We usually go to Slovakia in the summer months. The reason we go there is we want to see family. We also like the weather. It’s in the 80s and dry. The town is Poprad. It’s located right on the mountains. I grew up there. I went to school and played hockey there. I see the coaches who I played for in my younger days.
After you retired, you could have moved anywhere. Why did you stay in in Annapolis?
It has to be over 20 years. I don’t think I could find a better place to live. My kids grew up here. We are close to D.C. and Annapolis offers a lot of good stuff. You have downtown and the Town Centre. If you travel, you have three major airports.
What did it mean to you last year when you were inducted into the D.C.Sports Hall of Fame?
It means a lot. You don’t think about that during your playing career. Now, you look back at what you have done and how long you have played here. It’s good to get a hockey guy in to represent the Washington Capitals.
