"While with the Capitals, Irwin saw one of the biggest moments of the now-completed goal chase firsthand as Ovechkin scored his 802nd career goal and passed Gordie Howe for second on the NHL's all-time goals list. Irwin was in the team's lineup for the historic December 23, 2022 game against the Winnipeg Jets, skating 17:36 of ice time in the 4-1 victory."
"He signed two separate one-year, $750k contracts with the Caps in 2021 and 2022. Irwin believes one of his unofficial off-ice duties, becoming Alex Ovechkin's go-to postgame beer guy, had something to do with that. "I was in charge of getting him his adult beverages on the bus, and that was one of my roles that I found to stay on the team, basically," Irwin said."
Matt Irwin was a journeyman NHL defenseman who finished his professional career in five seasons with five different teams: the Nashville Predators, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Washington Capitals, and Abbotsford Canucks. Irwin played 78 games for the Capitals under coach Peter Laviolette from 2021 to 2023 and signed two one-year, $750,000 contracts with the team. Irwin described meeting and bonding with captain Alex Ovechkin, including serving as Ovechkin's postgame beer provider. Irwin skated 17:36 in the December 23, 2022 game when Ovechkin scored his 802nd goal to pass Gordie Howe. Irwin said Ovechkin celebrated teammates' goals with genuine, childlike excitement.
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