Matt Hendricks had a long path to the NHL and the Washington Capitals. After he was selected by the Nashville Predators in the fifth round at 131st overall, Hendricks remained in college at St. Cloud State.
After graduation, he earned a minor league contract and Hendricks had stops with seven minor league teams for eight seasons including the Hershey Bears before he finally made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2008-09 season.
Henricks spent 11 years in the NHL as a member of the Avalanche, Capitals, Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets.