FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / September 7, 2011

NHL AND WASHINGTON CAPITALS TEAM UP FOR $10,000 DONATION

TO SUPPORT USA WARRIORS ICE HOCKEY PROGRAM

Caps’ forward Mike Knuble to participate in ceremonial

puck drop and check presentation

NEW YORK (September 7, 2011) – The National Hockey League (NHL) and the Washington Capitals today announced plans to present a $10,000 donation to the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program during a special charity event in support of the nonprofit hockey organization.

USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program, sanctioned by USA Hockey and a member of the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone™ initiative, is a nonprofit organization serving military personnel wounded in defense of the United States. The nationally recognized program leverages the sport of hockey as a catalyst to assist disabled soldiers as they return to mainstream lifestyles.

The charity event will feature hockey-playing Capitol Hill staff members matched up against the Warrior team. Washington Capitals alternate captain Mike Knuble is scheduled to participate in the ceremonial puck drop and check presentation. The event will take place at 7 p.m. at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.

“The NHL is proud to continue its ongoing philanthropic efforts with this donation in support of the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program,” said Ken Martin, Jr., NHL Vice President of Community Affairs. “On behalf of the NHL family we proudly present this gift in honor of these Warriors who find joy playing our great game.”

“Washington Capitals Charities is proud to partner with the NHL in supporting the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program,” said Elizabeth Wodatch, director of community relations for the Washington Capitals. “We admire the courage and dedication of these Warriors and appreciate their service to our country”.

“On behalf of USA Warrior Hockey and all military veterans we would like to thank the National Hockey League and the Washington Capitals for their generous donation,” said Michael Vaccaro, member of the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program and director of the charity event.

Founded in 2007, the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program trains and supplies injured soldiers with hockey equipment and the skills needed to use the sport of hockey as a rehabilitation tool to overcome both physical and mental injuries sustained in combat. In 2010, the NHL, Washington Capitals and Verizon Wireless partnered to donate multiple sets of official NHL-licensed ice hockey equipment and apparel in support of the USA Warriors Ice Hockey Program. Verizon Wireless donated equipment used during the production of two TV spots for the 2009-10 NHL season.

HAPPY 39th BIRTHDAY MIKE KNUBLE!!

(Born on July 4, 1972 in Toronto, ON, Canada)

Photos 2011 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Capitals News Network.

All Rights Reserved.

The generosity of Caps fans never ceases to amaze me.

The "Spring Puck Surprise" was another huge success at Wednesday's game against the Bruins. 450 pucks were sold in less than 45 minutes which raised $18,000 for Caps' charities!

Fans selected autographed pucks not knowing who they would get.

These Caps fans picked a 3 (Poti), 2 Ovi (8),
Neuvy (30), and Green (52).

These are happy Caps fans! One on left is one of the five that will get to meet

 Mike Knuble after the game to have her puck signed. Her friend was pretty happy

with her two pucks - Ovi and Arnott! 

Photos 2011 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/

Capitals News Network. All Rights Reserved.

Come early and bring cash to the Caps game tomorrow, Wednesday, April 6, 2011.  Why?  It is the very popular "Spring Puck Surprise!"  Last November, 450 pucks were sold in 45 minutes which raised $18,000 for Caps' charities!  So don't hesitate, get in line early, donate $40 to a great cause and take home a piece of Caps memorabilia! And if you select a puck that is not signed by a Washington Capital player, you will get to meet Mike Knuble after the game and he'll it autograph it for you in person!

For more information, the Capitals official press release and rules are below. Good Luck!

Spring Puck Surprise

Stop by the community relations table behind section 104 before the Caps final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, April 6, for the Spring Puck Surprise. For $40, fans may purchase a package that includes an autographed Washington Capitals puck with Hershey’s Kisses. What’s the surprise? Almost every puck is autographed by a Caps player. If the puck you select is not autographed, Capitals right wing Mike Knuble will sign it for you personally after the game!

Pucks are limited, so plan on arriving early so you don't miss this special opportunity. Sales begin as soon as the doors open at 6 p.m. Please be advised that cash is the only method of payment that will be accepted. Customers may not pay by credit card or check. Five lucky winners will get to meet Knuble after the game and all of the money raised benefits Washington Capitals Charities, so visit the community relations table on April 6 for the Spring Puck Surprise.


Rules

• Only four pucks per person, supplies are limited.
• If the puck you select is not autographed, Mike Knuble will sign it after the game.
• Only the five winners will be allowed to meet Knuble. If one of the winners is under the age of 18, he or she may be accompanied by one adult.
• Cash is the only accepted form of payment for pucks.
• Credit cards and checks will not be accepted.
• All money raised will benefit Washington Capitals Charities.
• Specific players’ autographs are not guaranteed.
• Winners must meet at the community relations table behind section 104 immediately after the game.

Photo from washcaps.com

Several members of the Washington Capitals and their better halves spent Saturday afternoon, February 5 at Lucky Strike bowling to benefit cancer survivorship programs at Virginia Hospital Center.

The Capitals’ wives and girlfriends pick a charity to give $25,000 of the money raised during the Caps Care Casino Night and Auction every year. This year they selected The Chris Walsh Cancer Survivorship Fund at Virginia Hospital Center as the beneficiary. Christopher Walsh, MD, internist for the Washington Capitals, is a cancer survivor and recently established the fund.

 Dr. Christopher Walsh discussing surviorship

Survivorship is the experience of living with, through and beyond cancer for both patients and the people in their lives who are impacted by the diagnosis.

Michele Werner, director of development for the Virginia Hospital Center Foundation, was encouraged by the success of the inaugural event.  Werner started working with the Caps' better halves about six months ago to create a "really family-friendly, fun event."

Michele Werner

Virginia Hospital Center is committed to providing access to state-of-the-art technology, compassionate skilled physicians and staff, and an array of ancillary and support services, to best guide patients with cancer through the continuum of diagnosis, planning, treatment and recovery.

Washington Capitals players and ladies that participated were Karl Alzner and his fiancée Mandy Flemmer, Matt Bradley, Jason and Sarah Chimera, Eric and Rachel Fehr, Boyd Gordon and his girlfriend Samantha Casey, Matt and Kim Hendricks, D. J. King, Mike and Megan Knuble, Jeff Schultz and his girlfriend Mackenzie Keeley and David and Diondra Steckel.

Caps First Ladies

Brooks Laich and his girlfriend made a surprise appearance, however, didn't bowl.  Matt Bradley and Eric Fehr didn't bowl due to injuries and despite declaring that he was a good bowler, D.J. King didn't bowl because he was a little tardy to the event.

The event first started off with autographs.

Time to Bowl! Everyone had a great time as you can tell from the photos.

David Steckel

Jeff Schultz

Jason Chimera

Mike Knuble

Karl Alnzer

Matt Hendricks

Jason Chimera with son

Ouch Gordo. Darn Downie.

Matt Hendricks enjoying watching teammates bowl.

D.J. King chatting with Kim Hendricks

Lots of cute kids bowling

Jason Chimera's son is the cutest thing. He's watching his ball roll down alley.

Mike Knuble played auctioneer and this signed Caps Winter Classic sold for $1,300

Karl Alzner's fiance Mandy made all of these cupcakes!

Photos 2011 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/
Caps News Network. All Rights Reserved.

HAPPY 38th BIRTHDAY MIKE KNUBLE!!

(Born in Toronto, ON, Canada)

Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Capitals News Network.

All Rights Reserved.

Washington Capitals Right Wing Mike Knuble will share his thoughts on everything happening on and off the ice in a Q&A hosted by the radio voice of the Capitals, Steve Kolbe. Throughout the Q&A, fans will be invited to answer team trivia to win great Caps memorabilia, and Knuble will close the event by signing autographs for all the fans in attendance.

WHO: Washington Capitals Right Wing Mike Knuble

WHAT: Question-and-answer session, autograph signing at ESPN Zone in Baltimore

WHEN: Monday, March 1, 2010, 7- 8 p.m.

WHERE: ESPN Zone, 601 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD  21202

Mike Knuble, Elliot in the Morning and Lisa Hillary participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots. They went shopping for the toys on Dec. 3. Check out their shopping trip with Slapshot, Geico Gecko Marines and the Knuble family. A street hockey stick makes it into a cart, of course.

Remember to bring unwrapped toys to Caps game on Friday, Dec. 11.

Updated 12/15/2009: The event was a success thanks to Caps fans who generously donated money and toys for the drive. Players' wives and girlfriends assisted the Marines in collecting enough toys to fill up a 17-foot JK Moving and Storage Inc. truck.

'Tis the season for giving....please bring an unwrapped toy to tonight's Caps game for the 10th annual toy drive for "Toys for Tots."  Players' wives and girlfriends will be at the F Street entrance starting at 5:30pm and first 2,000 fans get a Mike Knuble poster.

Caps Press Release:

Capitals Ask Fans to Bring New, Unwrapped Toys to Friday’s Game

Wednesday, 12.09.2009 / 5:47 PM / News

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals are teaming up with Comcast SportsNet, Elliot in the Morning and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to host their 10th annual Capitals’ Toy Drive presented by GEICO beginning Dec. 11 when the Capitals host the Carolina Hurricanes at Verizon Center.

Fans are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the F Street entrance of Verizon Center where players’ wives and girlfriends will be assisting Marines to collect donated toys starting at 5:30 p.m. The first 2,000 fans who bring a toy will receive a free poster featuring Capitals forward and toy drive spokesman Mike Knuble.

The Toys for Tots Drive will benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, which collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children.

All of the toys collected will be distributed as holiday gifts to children in need in the Washington, D.C., area. JK Moving and Storage, Inc., will provide a truck to transport the toys to the Toys for Tots warehouse.

The Capitals, Comcast SportsNet, Elliot in the Morning and the Marine Corps Reserve are challenging fans to fill the 17-foot JK Moving truck with toys, all of which will be displayed on F Street.