While some would classify winning the Stanley Cup as the best moment in life, Capitals winger T.J. Oshie was careful to place his family first. It wasn't just a figure of speech, but a commitment that is never far from his mind.
Oshie's father, Tim, was his first hockey coach and longest supporter, as he has found amateur and professional success.
But that relationship changed dramatically in 2012, when periods of forgetfulness and disorientation were finally diagnosed for the underlying cause: Tim had Alzheimer's, a form of dementia that can rob people of even the happiest memories.
Still, the younger Oshie was confident that his dad, who was in attendance in Las Vegas for the Stanley-Cup clinching Game 5, would have no trouble celebrating and remembering the day.
TJ Oshie talking about his dad wrecked me pic.twitter.com/2A2hjmx8TE
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn)
June 8, 2018 "My dad...oh boy," he said, using the towel draped over his shoulders to wipe away tears welling up in his eyes. "He doesn't remember a lot of stuff these days. He remembers enough.
"But I tell you what: he's here tonight, I don't know where he's at, but this one will stick with him forever. I can guarantee that."
An emotional T.J. Oshie on winning the Stanley Cup for his family and his father, who is battling Alzheimer's. pic.twitter.com/XGj5gwVtnR
— ESPN (@espn)
June 8, 2018 Last year during the playoffs, the Caps made financial arrangements for Tim to travel with the team on the road, picking up the tab for both him and T.J.'s father-in-law, who traveled to escort Tim and take care of him. Tim is part of the fiber of T.J., who has been called the Caps' "glue guy" for his ability to bind the team together through adversity.
Oshie's teammates also affectionately call his dad "Coach."
