The Glue Guy: How Dylan McIlrath, AKA 'Big Mac Sauce,' Turned The Capitals Into One Of The NHL's Tightest-Knit Locker Rooms

Dylan McIlrath's role isn't the most glorious, but it's been vital to leading the Capitals to great heights over the last year and change.

ARLINGTON, V.A. — With T.J. Oshie hanging up the skates, the Washington Capitals not only lost a fundamental piece of their offense, but a vital part of the locker room: the glue guy.

It’s not the most recognized position, but an invaluable one. The glue guy brings the team together, and the Capitals’ upbeat locker room needed someone else to drive that bond.

Enter Dylan McIlrath.

“It’s easy to do with my journey and finally getting back here,” McIlrath said of his job. “I’m just fortunate to be here every day, and I think it’s kind of an infectious trait.”

McIlrath, fresh off back-to-back Calder Cups as the captain of the AHL’s Hershey Bears, entered 2024 training camp going through the motions, and to his surprise, won a full-time role back at the highest level for the first time in years.

The 6-foot-5 blueliner is a physical presence who’ll stick up for his teammates and make himself known on the ice. And while it helps to have a defender like that on the backend, his primary role in D.C. has been bringing the locker room together.

“Last year was such a blur, everything was just so exciting,” McIlrath said. “I got to pinch myself and realize I’m part of this team.”

McIlrath’s job isn’t the most glorious, but it is vital. Though he’s more often than not a healthy scratch, the work he puts in on and off the ice to make the Capitals who they are goes a bit under the radar.

What goes into being a glue guy at the NHL level, though?

For McIlrath, affectionately known around the room as “Big Mac Sauce” — or most of the time now, just “Sauce” — it’s something that comes naturally.

“I’ve never really had trouble with it. I think it was probably just the way I was raised, really good parents, I still have good values and I’m ust trying to have a zest for life,” McIlrath said. “Obviously get to play hockey for a living. so I’m living out my dream. Trying to remind myself every day, even if there’s long stretches of me not playing and I can feel down in the dumps some days, I just always remind myself it’s a privilege to be here.”

Looking at McIlrath, he truly does it all. When he’s playing, he throws the big hits, drops the gloves when he has to and fuels his teammates in any way he can. Even when skates are optional, he’s on the ice, ready to put in the work.

When the team needs a laugh, he’ll break into his famous split on the ice, and he’ll pull out the occasional party trick — which includes taking a door off its hinges or showing off his wingspan, which goes from the floor to the ceiling.

Being a glue guy’s more than having the right attitude, though. It’s putting in the effort, leading by example and, through presence alone, establishing a positive culture on and off the ice.

For a team like Washington, which has players from all different backgrounds, authenticity is important, and McIlrath makes sure that every individual in the room feels welcome and included.

“Once you figure out just to be comfortable in your own skin and be yourself. I think this group especially really accepts guys being their authentic selves, not just myself,” McIlrath said. “I’ve been able to thrive in this role being positive every day. It’s easy to do with my journey and finally getting back here. I’m just fortunate to be here every day, and I think it’s kind of an infectious trait.”

That contagious personality has been a game-changer for D.C. It’s not only translated to an upbeat and positive room, but has played a key role in the team’s success and chemistry. Washington finished atop the Eastern Conference last season, and this year, remains in the thick of the Metro Division race.

While McIlrath likes to be the high-energy, fun-loving leader, putting in the work on the ice, regardless of how much he plays, is just a big part of his role.

That’s why he’s always among the first on the ice and the last to leave, and when he does come into the lineup, he’ll do what he can to make an impact, even if he’s playing under 10 minutes.

“It’s got to be a balance of be the fun energy guy, but you also got to put the work in. i think anytime I’m out, I’m trying to do my best, whether it’s in the gym, on the ice. Guys just respect the fact that I’m working hard and staying positive,” McIlrath said.

The 33-year-old, who had to earn his spot again out of training camp this season, has become a beloved presence in the room thanks to not only his demeanor and personality, but the work and energy he puts in.

“What doesn’t he do for the group?” Brandon Duhaime said. “He brings the energy every day, whether he’s out or playing or anything like that. He stays with it.

McIlrath downplayed his part in it, and credited the team’s tight-knit room to the captain, Alex Ovechkin.

“It’s easy to have fun in this locker room, so many good personalities,” McIlrath said. “It starts with Ovi setting the tone, wanting everyone to have fun, and then it trickles down from there, all our leadership.

“… It’s just special… to just to be a part of this group and to have the leadership include me, the big man being so gracious to be kind to me,” he added.

That being said, it also comes down to him just doing his job, and ultimately, just being “Sauce.”

“There’s a lot of intangibles to be a glue guy, but honestly, it’s just being yourself, being a good teammate, good friend and try to make sure everyone’s getting their flowers when they’re playing well and when guys are down in the dumps, to kind of be there for them,” McIlrath said. “Every successful team I’ve been on is a tight-knit group. I’m just trying to be a small part.”