If you haven't already done so, check out "The Official Site of Brooks Laich." 

Sign up to be the Fan of the Month and win BL21 autographed memorabilia or shop online.. 

You can also submit questions to Laich under "Ask Brooks."

There are several excellent photos of Laich in the galleries. I noticed that three photos were mine. Guess I should be flattered!

Also, join the Brooks Laich Fan Page on Facebook.

HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY BROOKS LAICH!!

(Born on June 23, 1983 in Wawota, SK, Canada)

Photos © Cheryl Nichols Photography/Capitals News Network.

All Rights Reserved.

AUTOGRAPH OPPORTUNITY FOR CAPS FANS!

Ovi, Carlson, Brooksie and Neuvy will be heading out to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia on Sunday, March 20 for the Collectors' Showcase of America.  Autograph tickets are available for purchase. See information below for amount per autograph.  Sunday's show admission is $5 and hours are 10am-4pm.  Now is your chance to get that something special signed by your favorite Caps.

John Carlson - 1:30-2:30pm ($40)
Brooks Laich - 1:30-2:30pm ($40)
Michal Neuvirth - 1:30-2:30pm ($40)
Alexander Ovechkin - 1:30-2:30pm ($120 Flat item/Puck or $150 Premium - Jersey/Stick/Equipment). No inscriptions

There will also be other DC current and former sports celebrities.  See link for schedule.

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.

Here are a few photos from the morning practice yesterday, January 17, 2011 before the Washington Capitals headed to Philadelphia for a three game road trip.

LL Cool B - "Ladies Love Brooks"

Neuvy making a save

Coach Bruce Boudreau keeping the boys moving

Andrew Gordon looks happy to be back with Caps

Hendy

Big John Erskine

Jay Beagle and his tongue

Ovi smiles during "Juice Boy"

Hannan

Matty P

1st Line Combo - Ovi, MoJo and Brooksy

What happened towards the end of practice was a first for me and apparently a first for most, including players.  This kind of thing might happen behind closed doors, but not during an open to the public practice.  DJ King showed Matt Hendricks some fight techniques and shared trade secrets.  It was fun to watch.  It was slow and they talked out each of the movements and when do use them.  Here are a few photos of the fight lesson. You can read about "Caps fight club" from Homer McFanboy.

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

CONGRATULATIONS BROOKS LAICH!

It was so refreshing to see the list of this year's Sports Illusrated Sportsman of the Year nominees.  No Brett Favre.  No Tiger Woods. No Derek Jeter.  Many of the nominees are great athletes, however, not known as "superstars" or play the "popular" sport.  Kudos to Sports Illustrated for honoring athletes outside the box.

Brooks Laich is Michael Farber's nomination for Sportsman of the Year.  Laich is an underrated player who is great on and off the ice.  He is hard working, humble, and gracious.  Caps fans know that he is the first to practice and last to leave and is always at the optional skates.  Brooks is a leader on the ice and often wears the "A" on his sweater if Poti or Knuble is out.

"Since the inception of the honor in 1954, SI's Sportsman of the Year generally has been a stand-up guy." Farber continues, "This year my nominee is a guy who stooped."  Farber nominated Laich for his work off the ice when he stopped to change a tire for Caps fans shortly after being eliminated from the playoffs at the end of April.

They say that things happen for a reason so thanks to Mary Ann and Lorraine Wangemann for getting a flat tire and Dan Steinberg for telling us about it. And of course, thanks to Brooks Laich for being your kind self to stop and help folks in need of assistance. It appears that "paying it forward" earned Laich the nomination.

CAPS FANS LIKE LAICH!  Good luck Brooks.  Sports Illustrated will announce the winner on November 30. 

Bobby Orr (1970), Wayne Gretzky (1982), and Bob Bourne (co-winner, 1987) represent the NHL Sportsman of the Year winners. The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team was honored as a group in 1980.

Full list of SI Sportman of the Year Winners since 1954.

Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Nominees:

Brooks Laich, Hockey-Capitals

Rafael Nadal, Tennis

Kevin Durant, Basketball-Thunder

Roy Halladay, Baseball-Phillies

Butler Bulldogs Basketball

Lorena Ochoa, Golfer

Greg McElroy-Football QB-Alabama

 

Brooks signing autographs for fans

Brooks Scoring Goal

Photos 2010 © Cheryl Nichols Photography/

Capitals News Network. All Rights Reserved.