Kennebunkport native Garnet Hathaway (21) takes a hit from Boston’s David Backes during Hathaway’s tenure with the Calgary Flames. Hathaway signed a four-year deal with the Washington Capitals this week. (AP NEWSWIRE)

WASHINGTON — Garnet Hathaway remembers being a young kid watching the Portland Pirates play hockey and dreaming about playing professionally for the team’s NHL affiliate, the Washington Capitals. 

Now, the Kennebunkport native gets to fulfill his dream. 

Hathaway, 27, agreed to a four-year, $6 million deal with the Capitals on Monday after he spent his first six seasons with the Calgary Flames organization. 

“(Putting on that Capitals jersey) is going to be surreal,” Hathaway said. “It’s one of those things where I’m really going to take the time to appreciate it and soak in the moment.”

Hathaway’s passion for hockey started when he was young. At just 3 years old, his mother, Suellen Hathaway, brought Hathaway and his 5-year-old brother, Ephraim Hathaway, to the Biddeford Ice Arena, unsure if her youngest was even old enough to play. Hathaway met the age requirement and found an immediate affection for the sport. 

After spending his freshman year at Cheverus High School, Hathaway transferred to Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, to finish his high school career. With a love for Maine, Hathaway wanted to stay in the northeast region. Andover was only 90 minutes from his parents’ house, so it was easy for him to see his family on the weekends. 

St. Dom’s Sheldon Roy (12) is dejected as Cheverus players Alexander Arthur (2) and Garnet Hathaway (7) celebrate the winning goal late in the third period of a high school Class A hockey action at the Portland Ice Arena 13 years ago.

“My parents still live in Kennebunkport and I try to get up there as much as I can, especially when the weather is really nice,” he said. “I’ve come back for a couple weekends (this year) already.”

During his time in Andover, Hathaway not only stood out in hockey but on the soccer field, too, playing both sports until his senior year. He was good enough to receive some interest from local colleges, but when it came down to picking just one, he made the decision to hang up his soccer cleats and pursue a career on the ice. 

Hathaway committed to play hockey at Brown University under head coach Brendan Whittet. During his four years in Providence, Rhode Island, Hathaway racked up 20 goals and 38 assists over 121 games before he graduated in 2014. 

Hathaway was an undrafted free agent when he signed with Calgary toward the end of the 2014 NHL season. His play with Calgary’s minor league affiliate, the Adirondack Flames, earned him a two-way, two-year contract. He made his NHL debut with Calgary on Feb. 29 against the Philadelphia Flyers. With Calgary, Hathaway scored 16 goals in 180 games. 

“(My first game with Calgary) is something I’ll always remember,” Hathaway said. “It’s one day that will stick with me as one of the craziest days of my life … (The decision to leave) was very difficult. The whole organization gave me the opportunity to really live out my dream and play in the NHL … I’ll always be thankful for it.”

Hathaway expects he’ll feel the same type of emotions when he skates onto the ice for his first game as a Washington Capital.