Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, I introduced Washington Capitals fans to John Adams, a goalie for arguably the worst NHL team ever, the 1974-1975 Capitals. Today, I look at a player who played for some far less depressing teams: forward Jason Allison. Allison’s birthday was on May 29th, so happy belated birthday Jason! Here’s a hockey card of Jason Allison

Jason Allison’s Washington Capitals Career

Jason Allison was the first round pick and 17th overall pick in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He wore number 41 for his entire NHL career. He made his NHL debut in the Capitals 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on April 12, 1994. His first NHL point was an assist two days later against the Buffalo Sabres.

Allison got his first NHL goal on January 27th, 1995 against the New York Islanders. He wouldn’t see regular playing time with the Capitals until the 1996-1997 season. In 53 games with the Capitals that season, Jason Allison had 22 points (five goals, 17 assists).

Jason Allison is remembered by Capitals fans not for his time in Washington, but rather for a famous trade that forever changed the landscape of the franchise. In March of 1997, he was traded to the Boston Bruins along with Jim Carey, Anson Carter and Washington’s 3rd round choice (Lee Goren) in the 1997 NHL Draft for Bill Ranford, Adam Oates and Rick Tocchet.

In 86 games with the Capitals, Allison had 29 points (seven goals, 22 assists).

Jason Allison’s NHL Career

Jason Allison had some huge skates to fill when he was traded to the Bruins for Oates. Allison managed to fill them quite nicely. In 301 games with the Bruins, Allison was nearly a point per game player, scoring 294 points (105 goals, 189 assists) with 242 penalty minutes. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings with Mikko Eloranta for Jozef Stumpel and Glen Murray in 2001.

In 99 games with the Kings, Allison scored 102 points (25 goals, 77 assists) with 90 penalty minutes. Injuries ended his career, though he did make a comeback for one year with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2005-2006, scoring 60 points (17 goals, 43 assists) in 66 games.

Here’s to you Jason Allison. You were the centerpiece of a trade that forever changed the Washington Capitals franchise. Had it not been for injuries, you might have had a decent case for the Hall of Fame!

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