How Bible Studies, Charlie Lindgren & Faith Brought The Capitals Closer Together
The Capitals have come together to form one of the tightest locker rooms in the league.
ARLINGTON, V.A. — It takes Jakob Chychrun a moment to think as he considers the final question I ask him on Washington Capitals breakdown day: What was the biggest thing you learned about yourself this season?
As a player, he’s taken a lot away from his first year in the District, though he can’t pinpoint one specific area. So, he lands on what’s had the biggest impact on his life off the ice, and that’s religion.
For the 26-year-old, who was traded to the Capitals in the offseason and signed an eight-year extension to remain in D.C., Christianity played a big part in his growth this season.
“I think it’s made me a completely better person, better teammate, better son, brother, husband. It’s given me a different perspective on even coming to the rink every day,” Chychrun said. “I just feel very grateful for this season.”
Chychrun is not the only player to embrace his faith. In fact, it’s played a key role in helping bring the Capitals and over 2,000 players across North America from all leagues closer together.
There are roughly eight to 10 Capitals players who practice Christianity together, attending weekly chapels and bible studies. The group is led in part by goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who said faith has played a significant role in his life and the last few years he’s spent in Washington.
“This team does such a good job of just bringing guys in and making them feel comfortable,” Lindgren said. “Faith’s played an important role in my life, especially the last few years. We’ve got numerous other believers on the team now, it’s been great to kind of build that as a foundation.”
The netminder, who also introduced the concept of “agape love” — the highest, most unconditional form of love he learned about from reading Christian books — also emphasized that regardless of players’ personal convictions, everyone is accepted and welcome in the room.
“We got 25 unique individuals in the locker room, and everyone’s able to be themselves and feel totally comfortable and there’s no judgment,” Lindgren said.
Lindgren and the Capitals work with Hockey Ministries International’s chapel program, which was established in 1979 and is active in 42 leagues across North America. HMI’s goal is to provide teams with a local chaplain and make religious resources available to all players regardless of background or beliefs. Over 2,000 players have benefited from its services.
“(Players) live with tremendous pressure to perform… wherever we can walk alongside and serve them quietly with encouragement, it can be a tremendous resource and rock for them,” Don Liesemer Jr. of HMI said.
Ultimately, though, it’s something that has helped the Capitals form a tighter bond, while players have also gotten a resource to go to with questions regarding religion or life in general.
"It was a special kind of thing that we had going this year that I think has helped a lot of us and has become a huge part of my life,” Chychrun said.
For Chychrun and the Capitals, having that community within the room helped bring the team closer together. But at the end of the day, it’s just another part of what makes Washington’s room stand out.
“You can come to the rink and be who you are, and you’re going to be loved because of that. It’s a beautiful thing, I think that’s what makes this team so special,” Lindgren said. “I love this team to death.”