Kevin Hartman is no longer part of the Wizard’s immediate plans, out of contract and in California with the US Men’s National Team it has become all to clear that Hartman will not be returning.  The signing of Jimmy Nielsen and comments made by Peter Vermes all but confirm what has not been officially announced.   Kevin Hartman is no longer a Wizard.

Kevin joined the Wizards after a decade long spell with the LA Galaxy.  His time there included to MLS Cups and two US Open Cups.  Following the 2006 season Hartman joined the Kansas City Wizards where he has literally played every single game as goalkeeper in MLS play.  For three seasons Hartman performed admirably as the last line behind continually poor Wizards teams and was considered by many as one of few bright spots on the roster, and certainly one that needed to be retained moving into the 2010 season.

Hartman was by no means a perfect keeper, a brilliant shot stopper he was prone to moments of occasional eccentricity when it came to fielding aerial balls.  The overriding memory many will have of him however will be of finger tip saves that prevented numerous goals and losses over the past few years.

Those of us who watched the game from behind him have gotten used to him simply being a good guy that never once failed to acknowledge the fans behind either end.

When the whistle sounded on the 2009 season. Peter Vermes, Jimmy Conrad, and the remainder of the squad melted out of view quickly without taking a second to acknowledge the fans who had paid to watch them perform miserably for a season.   Two players remained.  Kevin Hartman and the (the almost certainly gone) Claudio Lopez.  While Lopez walked the field applauding fans on all sides of the ground Hartman stopped in front of the Cauldron and chatted with the fans, leaving gloves behind him.  A class act to the end, it was no surprise that many are sad to hear that many he is no longer going to be tending goal in Kansas City.

Good luck Kevin.