Capitals announcer Craig Laughlin reveals he’ll have heart surgery later this month

Craig Laughlin, who has served as a color analyst for the Washington Capitals since his playing days ended in 1990, announced on Friday that he’ll soon undergo heart surgery.

During the second intermission of Friday’s game between the Capitals and Montreal Canadiens in Washington, Laughlin shared the news. After joking with longtime broadcast partner Joe Beninati that he has “an upper-body injury,” Laughlin detailed what has been happening and what’s forthcoming.

“I’ve been advised by my group of doctors that I need heart surgery coming up,” he said. “I visited several doctors, had a lot of tests done, so I will be having heart surgery at the end of the month. I’m focused on it. I want to meet it head-on. I’m optimistic and confident that I’m gonna return better than I was right now.”

“I am certain that the Laughlin family is the strongest one that I know,” Beninati said. “It starts with Linda — and Courtney, Kyle and you. And you have to know that whenever you need any support from any of us in our Monumental Sports Network family, you’ve got it.”

“Well I’m incredibly fortunate when you look at the type of support systems I have,” Laughlin replied.  It starts with my family. I can’t go through this without them. My friends, the Caps organization as a whole, the ownership group here, the doctors and of course, Caps Nation, the fans. They’ve never waivered when it comes to supporting Caps and broadcasters — and anybody involved with this team.

“I just want them to know, I love and cherish what I do, I look forward to the great run that the Caps are gonna have the rest of this season, I hope to be back by then, Joe to enjoy the playoffs and a long run, the Great 8 chase and the 50th anniversary. I’m gonna battle my butt off to return as soon as I can.”

“We wish you all the very best,” Beninati said. “You know that we are in your corner very, very much.”