You might not know what Wes Johnson looks like, but there’s a good chance you know what he sounds like. Johnson has spent the last 25 years as the voice behind the Washington Capitals’ electrifying PA announcements. From his early days with the Washington Bullets to becoming a fan favorite with his iconic “unleash the fury,” Johnson shares his experiences, including the thrill of the 2018 Stanley Cup victory and a recent heartfelt recognition for his dedication to the Capitals.
Hockey fans are envious: You have had the best seat in the house for 42 Capitals home games for a quarter century. How did you land the job 25 years ago?
I actually started with the [Washington] Bullets. I walked into their offices to give an award to Juwan Howard. As I was leaving, I said, “Hey, do you have any openings ever for a PA announcer? I’d love to audition.” They said, “The guy who’s been here 20 years just left, should we put your name down?” So, I was the last PA announcer for the Bullets and the first for the Wizards. The next year I took over for the Capitals.
The team gave you a Stanley Cup ring when they won in 2018. That’s the best, right?
It’s still my favorite ring given to me by a dude. You know what’s cool? Players I used to watch with my dad in the early days, like Rod Langway and Craig Laughlin, I see them on a regular basis, and they say, “Hi, Wes,” which to this day still blows my mind.
This year the team gave you another award.
Getting this award was totally unexpected, thanking me for 25 years, a trophy with a crystalline microphone on it. And you’ve got everyone from game operations surrounding and applauding. They gave Byron [J. Hudtloff], who has been my PA assistant for 25 years, one too. … It took everything not to cry, but it was emotional. It’s nice to be recognized after all that time.
Most might not know your “unleash the fury” motivational, face-reddening rant is partly inspired by a 2000 movie with comedian Tom Green, Road Trip.
Probably the most fun I’ve ever had was when Tom Green himself came out and ‘unleashed the fury’ live with us in the arena, and I got to stand next to him and the two of us unleashing the fury and getting the crowd to go wild. Where else can the little kid inside you come out and go, ‘I’m having fun — but they’re making me wear a suit’?
We can’t help but notice your suits are considerably smaller these days. You lost 200 pounds before the advent of injectables.
I did have gastric bypass surgery. A lot of people think it’s a shortcut, and it’s not. It’s a tool, and it’s painstaking, and it takes time to change your entire lifestyle. But it changed my entire body, but I’m still afraid there is a 200-pound [larger] blob version of me trying to catch up to me. But I’m pretty sure I can outrun it.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Feature image of Wes Johnson courtesy Washington Capitals
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
