Happy Holidays from the Washington Capitals!

Click here to see Card. (Turn it up so you can hear the greetings)

Card cover art by Caps Kids Club holiday card contest winner Brian R. age 12 of Potomac, MD.  See all 34 entries here.

Congratulations Capitals on the Design Award for KCI. 

“It’s cool to have this space-age, modern building - the world’s best practice facility,” Leonsis said of the Ballston facility. “It’s the greatest space in the league.”

According to Caps Newsletter Ice Chips:

Kettler Capitals Iceplex won the Design Award of Merit from the Arlington County in the DESIGNArlington 2009 awards. The DESIGNArlington awards were created to increase public awareness of outstanding design and to recognize and encourage design excellence in Arlington’s built environment. This is the fourth award for the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, which won awards in 2007 for Best New Build-To-Suit over 150,000 square feet, Award of Excellence from NAIOP and Merit Award for Structural Renovations from the Structural Engineers Association of Metropolitan Washington.

Photo 2008 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

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.

Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau 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 Boudreau will close the event by signing autographs for all the fans in attendance.

WHO: Washington Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau

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

WHEN: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 7- 8 p.m.

WHERE: ESPN Zone, 555 12th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Grattis på födelsedagen Nicklas Backstrom!
(Happy 22nd Birthday Nicky!)

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

What better way to kick off the season of giving than to donate blood and help save lives?  

Last season the Caps Inova Blood Drive collected 415 units of blood from 462 Caps fans, the most successful blood donation campaign hosted by the Capitals.

“Donating blood makes a significant difference and helps save lives,” said Capitals defenseman Mike Green. “This is an important issue where everyone can help. I encourage all Caps fans to come out, participate and help others.” The Caps are also planning a spring blood drive for March 2010.

WHO:  CAPS FANS NEEDED! 

WHAT: INOVA and Washington Captials 2nd Annual Blood Drive

WHERE: Kettler Capitals Iceplex - 627 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22203

WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 2009 from 8 am to 5 pm

HOW: Donors can make an appointment now by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372) or sign up online at www.inova.org/donateblood. Click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button (on the right side), and use sponsor code 7441 or zip code 22203 to find the Capitals drive. Appointments are required and walk-ins will not be permitted to donate. There is limited space available – only the first 500 fans to sign up will be able to participate. The entire donation process takes approximately one hour.

WHY:  The gift of life.  And as a bonus:  The first 500 people to schedule an appointment and attempt to give blood that day will receive a Mike Green jersey T-shirt and an autographed photo. All donors will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets with suite level seating – nine pairs of tickets will be drawn.

OTHER IMPORTANT INFO FOR DONORS:

To give blood, you must be feeling generally well on the day of your donation, be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood in the past eight weeks (56 days). There is a one week wait to donate after any tattoos or body piercings. There are other factors that may affect your eligibility to give blood; any questions can be answered by calling 1-866-BLOODSAVES or by visiting www.inova.org/donateblood. Aspects of each potential donor's health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. Each donor receives a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron level) are measured.

One blood donation can save up to three lives, and the 415 units collected last year helped more than 1,200 local patients. There is a continual need for all blood types. More than 200 blood and platelet donations are needed every day, year-round, for patients in area hospitals. Blood and platelets help many people, including trauma patients, surgery patients, newborn babies, cancer patients and transplant patients. Inova Blood Donor Services is the major supplier of blood products in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

Updated: 12/17/2009:  The winning card design by Brian R. age 12 of Potomac, MD.  See all 34 entries here.

Looking for something to keep your kids busy while you prepare Thanksgiving dinner?  Here is something just for kids.

Caps Kids Club members** have the exclusive opportunity to design the cover of this year's holiday e-card. Entries can be dropped off at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, at the Caps Kids Club Table at Verizon Center or online here. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. In addition to having their artwork featured on the Capitals e-card the winner will also receive two tickets to the Dec. 11 Caps game, a zamboni ride during one of the intermissions and a Caps autographed puck.

**If you are not already a Caps Kids Club Member, you can sign up online or at Verizon Center.  For only $15, kids will receive a membership kit that features a Slapshot bobblehead, lunch bag, zipper pull, hat, spirit tattoos, wrist bands, membership card and three free skates at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.  Capsl also have monthly e-newsletters, exclusive contests, and special events throughout the season including a Movie Day, Slapshot Pizza Party and much more.

Bring Canned Food to Help Support Capital Area Food Bank

From Caps Website:
 

The Washington Capitals, Tires Plus, Bridgestone Tires, Comcast SportsNet, Mix 107.3, the Edge 105.9 and the Capital Area Food Bank are teaming up to host a canned food drive at the Caps game Friday, Nov. 20, against the Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals players’ wives and girlfriends will be accepting donations at the F Street Entrance to Verizon Center starting at 6 p.m. when doors open. The first 2,000 fans to donate will receive a Nicklas Backstrom poster. The Capitals, Tires Plus, Bridgestone Tires, Comcast SportsNet, Mix 107.3, the Edge 105.9 and the Capital Area Food Bank urge all Caps fans to donate at least one can of food to help in the struggle to end hunger in the Washington area.


All donations benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, the largest public nonprofit food and nutrition education resource in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Last year, the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 23 million pounds of food, including 6.6 million pounds of fresh produce, to more than 700 partner agencies. The Capital Area Food Bank has served the National Capital region for 29 years.

Mike Green is involved with many charities, yet still finds time for more.  Green will be at The Front Page in Arlington tomorrow night for a Special Event to Benefit Research for Muscular Dystrophy.  Stop by to see Mike Green and make a donation to help find a cure for MD.

WHEN: Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 5pm to 9pm

WHERE:  The Front Page Arlington, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203, 703.248.9990

WHY:  RESEARCH FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY (espeically for Joey that has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy)

WHAT: 

• Your $10 donation at the door gets you ½ price hamburgers & ½ price appetizers as well as other great specials.
• Come out and see Washington Capitals' Mike Green.
• Signed sports memorabilia from the Capitals and Redskins will be auctioned.
• $5 Raffle tickets can be purchased for a chance to win this autographed Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey. 

**Update 11/20/2009 - Singles Night on Nov. 13 was a sucess!  70 singles between the ages of 25 to 50 attended. There was speed dating and mingling from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and many of the paricipants watch the Caps game from Bar Louie. Check WashingtonCaps.com for other exciting upcoming events including Capitals viewing parties.

Directly from Caps website:

Single? Looking for someone to share your passion for the Capitals?  If your answer is yes, then you should attend Capitals Singles Night at Bar Louie on Friday, Nov. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are only $20 to the event and includes drinks (soda, beer and wine), appetizers and icebreakers to get to know the others in the room. The singles night event does not include a game ticket.

Bar Louie is located right next to the Verizon Center at 701 7th Street, NW. If you have tickets to the game, you can participate in Singles Night and then head over to cheer on your Capitals as they take on the Minnesota Wild.

Don’t have tickets to the game? No problem. Stay and watch the game with other Caps fans at Bar Louie.  Click on the link to sign up!

This is a touching story about a young Caps' fan meeting the team after Saturday night's 7-4 win.

"Fall Puck Surprise" was a success at Saturday's game. 450 pucks were sold in 45 minutes which raised $18,000 for Caps' charities!




Photo Courtesy of washcaps.com

The Washington Capitals, Tires Plus, Bridgestone Tires, Comcast SportsNet, Mix 107.3, the Edge 105.9 and the Capital Area Food Bank are teaming up to help in the struggle to end hunger in the Washington area.

SALVATION ARMY GRATE PATROL

On Monday, November 2, Washington Capitals Center Nicklas Backstrom, Mix 107.3's Chilli Amar and Comcast SportsNet reporter Lisa Hillary were part of the DC Grate Patrol volunteers.  The Grate Patrol van made eight stops throughout DC to offer chicken soup, bread and hot chocolate to DC homeless and also offered hooded sweatshirts due to the cooler weather.

Photo Courtesy of Chilli Amar

November 2 Grate Patrol - Nick Douglas, Grate Patrol driver, Lisa Hillary from Comcast, Backstrom,

Chilli Amar of the Mix 107.3, Gary Dexter of Tires Plus, and Major Steve Morris.

The Salvation Army's GRATE Patrol Program has been operating on the streets of Washington, D.C. since 1985. The program provides individuals with an evening meal, fellowship, and the opportunity for professional help.

The program operates 365 nights a year and serves more than 3,000 individuals each month. Originally, the program offered meals alone. Today, an outreach coordinator attempts to engage homeless individuals in a professional helping relationship and connect them with appropriate social services.

For more information about volunteering or about the program, check out their website or become a fan on Facebook.  If you'd like to make a donation, click here.

Photo Courtesy of Chilli Amar

Major Steve Morris  Nicklas Backstrom

CANNED FOOD DRIVE,
NOVEMBER 20TH (Habs v. Caps)

Please Bring Canned Food to Help Support Capital Area Food Bank on Friday, November 20.

The Washington Capitals, Tires Plus, Bridgestone Tires, Comcast SportsNet, Mix 107.3, the Edge 105.9 and the Capital Area Food Bank are teaming up to host a canned food drive at the Caps game Friday, Nov. 20, against the Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals players’ wives and girlfriends will be accepting donations at the F Street Entrance to Verizon Center starting at 6 p.m. when doors open. The first 2,000 fans to donate will receive a Nicklas Backstrom poster. All Caps fans are urged to donate at least one can of food to help in the struggle to end hunger in the Washington area.

All donations benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, the largest public nonprofit food and nutrition education resource in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Last year, the Capital Area Food Bank distributed 23 million pounds of food, including 6.6 million pounds of fresh produce, to more than 700 partner agencies. The Capital Area Food Bank has served the National Capital region for 29 years.

Join fellow Caps fans at the viewing party tonight at Union Jack's in Arlington when the Caps face NJ Devils at 7pm.  Union Jack's is offering 1/2 Price Appertizers from 4-9pm (according to their website).

TV: VERSUS
Radio: Caps Radio 1500, 820

The Devils recorded a 3-2 shootout win at Verizon Center three weeks ago. Defenseman Mike Green potted his first goal of the season, while Mike Knuble (one goal, one assist) and Alex Ovechkin (two assists) both had two points.

LET'S GO CAPS!

How are you celebrating Washington Capitals Day?

D.C. City Council Declares November 3 ‘Washington Capitals Day’
Tuesday, 11.03.2009 / 2:52 PM / News Washington Capitals

ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals chairman and majority owner Ted Leonsis and ownership partners Jack Davies, Raul Fernandez and Michelle D. Freeman accepted a ceremonial resolution from the D.C. City Council on behalf of the team this morning during the council’s legislative meeting in the John A. Wilson Building on Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.

Council Chairman Vincent Gray and Councilmember Jack Evans presented Leonsis and the Capitals with the resolution, which congratulated the team on a terrific regular season and return trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs. The resolution also declared that November 3, 2009, is “Washington Capitals Day” in the District in celebration of the team’s successful season.

Evans read the resolution, which states in part, “The Council of the District of Columbia salutes The Washington Capitals who have helped in the transformation of Chinatown and the Gallery Place neighborhood into an exciting destination for the entire metropolitan area.”

“It is a tremendous honor for our team and the entire Capitals organization to be recognized by the D.C. City Council,” Leonsis said. “We are extremely grateful for the continued support of our fans and the community, and it is most certainly noticed and appreciated by our players, coaching staff and front office. I thank Chairman Gray and Councilmember Evans for the generous Ceremonial Resolution and hope we continue to give them a reason to proclaim another Washington Capitals Day.”

Last season the Capitals enjoyed what could be considered the franchise’s most successful regular season in history, establishing a club record for points (108) and points on the road (47) and tying the club record for wins (50, with the 1985-86 team).

Led by Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin and Mike Green, the Capitals won their second consecutive Southeast Division and advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

For the second year in a row, Ovechkin won the Hart Trophy as the player judged most valuable to his team by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association, the Lester B. Pearson Award as the most outstanding player as chosen by the members of the NHL Players’ Association and the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals (56).

Green became the seventh NHL defenseman to score 30 goals in a season and the first to do so while playing fewer than 70 games. Green also set an NHL record for defensemen with goals in eight straight games and joined Ovechkin on the NHL First All-Star Team. He was a finalist for the Norris Trophy given to the top defenseman in the league.

Note: The complete Ceremonial Resolution to follow
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
_______

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
____________
To recognize and honor the Washington Capitals on their stellar regular season and congratulate star left wing Alex Ovechkin as the recipient of the Pearson Award and also the Heart Trophy for the second year in a row.

WHEREAS, the Washington Capitals under the ownership of Ted Leonsis and the coaching of Bruce Boudreau have brought action and excitement to Washington, D.C. and the metropolitan area for the past decade;

WHEREAS, the Washington Capitals have helped in the transformation of Chinatown and the Gallery Place neighborhood into an exciting destination for the entire metropolitan area;

WHEREAS, the Washington Capitals’ outstanding regular season was acknowledged at the National Hockey League (NHL) Awards ceremony this year in Las Vegas, Nevada;

WHEREAS, Alex Ovechkin, Capitals left wing, won the Hart Trophy for the second year in a row designating him as the NHL’s most valuable player;

WHEREAS, only ten other men have won the Hart Trophy in back-to-back seasons and Alex Ovechkin is the third-youngest to do so;

WHEREAS, Capitals’ Mike Green was a finalist for the Norris Trophy - awarded to the NHL’s best defenseman and finished the season with 31 goals, most by any NHL defenseman since 1993 despite playing in just 68 games;

WHEREAS, Alex Ovechkin also won the Lester B. Pearson Award, voted on annually by the NHL players themselves and awarded to the player they judge as league’s most outstanding. He is the first player since 1999 and 2000 to win that award in back-to-back seasons;

WHEREAS, Ovechkin finished the season with 56 goals and 54 assists and also won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for the second year in a row. That award goes to the NHL player who leads the league in goals scored and was named first-team All-NHL for the fourth year in a row;

WHEREAS, the Washington Capitals contribute to the good of the community through the Washington Capitals Charities and a variety of fundraising efforts and donations;

WHEREAS, Washington, D.C. and the entire metropolitan area looks forward to “rocking the red”, supporting and routing for the Washington Capitals for many years to come;

RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Washington Capitals’ 2008-2009 Season Celebration Recognition Resolution of 2009".

Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia salutes the Washington Capitals for its spirit, its countless achievements in advancing sporting excellence in Washington, D.C. and recognizes and congratulates Alex Ovechkin, Mike Green and all of the Washington Capitals on their individual achievements during this stellar season.

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia declares November 3rd as “Washington Capitals Day” in the District of Columbia in celebration of the Washington Capitals winning season.

Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.

MORE HALLOWEEN TREATS FOR CAPS FANS!

Ovi, Greenie and Varly will be heading out to the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia after practice on Saturday, October 31 for the Collectors' Showcase of America.  Autograph tickets are available for advanced purchase online.  Show admission is $5.  Now is your chance to get that something special signed by your favorite Caps.

Alex Ovechkin - 2-3:30pm ($119-$149-see website)
Mike Green - 2:30-3:45pm ($35-$45-see website)
Semyon Varlamov - 2-3:30pm ($25 or free with purchase of Ovechkin ticket)

Hockey fans might also be interested in seeing Gordie "Mr. Hockey" Howe from 11:30am-1pm

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

Caps Forward Nicklas Backstrom launched http://www.backstrom19.com/ which is a hockey driven website, not a blog. "This new Web site will provide you with updates of my career as well as my life as a Washington Capital."

Check out the video of Nicky chatting with Stretch about the new site.

A Halloween Treat for Caps Fans...... 

Washington Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau will have a book signing on October 31 at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., in conjunction with the formal release of his autobiography, "Gabby: Confessions of a Hockey Lifer." The signing session is scheduled to begin at 12:45 p.m. on the mezzanine level of Kettler. Copies of the book, published by Potomac Books, Inc., will be available for purchase.

Courtesy of Japersrink, check out some excerpts from the book.

**UPDATE 11/03/2009 with video from signing**

Hi ladies!  If you attended the Caps Hockey 'n Heels last year, I know that you will be buying your ticket the minute that they go on sale.  It was a great time!  Last year it was on a Saturday in February so I was a little surprised that it was so early this year and on a weeknight.  Between the Caps Convention, Six Flags Party and now Hockey 'n Heels, the Caps just keep giving and giving!

The Fourth Annual Hockey 'n Heels is only open to Club Scarlet members; click here to join Club Scarlet for free. Tickets go on sale Monday, Oct. 26 at 10am. This season the event is from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.  Tickets are $50 per person. Get ready for a night of fun!

For more information, see Caps press release from yesterday:

Capitals Host Hockey 'n Heels on Thursday, Nov. 19
Fourth-annual event introduces hockey to female audience at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

Monday, 10.19.2009 / 5:52 PM / News
ARLINGTON, Va. –The Washington Capitals have teamed up again with MIX 107.3 to host Hockey ’n Heels on Thursday, Nov. 19, at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau and former Capitals player Peter Bondra as well as current players will be at the festivities, which run from 6-9 p.m., with check in beginning at 5:30 p.m. The fourth-annual event features instructional lessons and on-ice demonstrations targeted toward the Capitals’ female audience.

Last year’s Hockey ’n Heels sold out in approximately 24 hours, with more than 300 women participating. This event is now part of Club Scarlet, a free-to-join female fan club. To learn more about Club Scarlet or to become a member, go to http://scarletcaps.com/.

The evening will be divided into five sessions, with the popular one-ice demonstrations extended this year. Hockey ’n Heels will use both sheets of ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, giving the women an opportunity to spend more time with the on-ice activities than previous years. The first session will be an on-ice demonstration where the participants will learn the fundamentals of hockey. The second session will discuss the various forms of equipment. Participants are encouraged to try on some of the equipment and see what it feels like to carry approximately 20 pounds of gear.

The third session includes a Hockey 101 “Chalk Talk” discussing rules and a short question-and-answer session with Capitals’ alumni. The fourth session with coach Bruce Boudreau will help the women understand how to dissect and analyze different aspects of the game. This session will demonstrate what the coaches and players do to get ready for their next opponent by breaking down video. The fifth and final session will consist of another on-ice demonstration lasting 45 minutes. All sessions are subject to change.

Members of the coaching staff, players and broadcast team will lead each session.

Club Scarlet members interested in attending Hockey ’n Heels may purchase tickets by visiting the Club Scarlet website at http://scarletcaps.com/ beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 26. Tickets for this year’s event are $50.

Ted Leonsis is not only the best owner is sports, he is now also an Emmy-winning movie producer!  I bet that there aren't too many other sports owners with an Emmy!

This was previously announced, however, fans had a chance to congratulate Ted at Saturday's game against the Predators.  The Emmy was for Outstanding Historical Programming-Long Form for "Nanking."

Congratulations Ted!  Everything he touches seems to turn to gold.

In related news, this is a nice article about Ted in the LA Times.

Photos © 2009 Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

For this years team building the guys head out to Pev's for some paint ball games on Monday, September 28, 2009.  As always, Mike and Stretch did a great job with the video. 

Times article

Join fellow Caps fans before the game against the Nashville Predators tomorrow, Saturday, October 17 for a Bar Tour! 


If you already have a Caps game ticket, the bar tour is $5 or $7 just for the tour.  Register between 2-7pm at RFD on Saturday and receive $2 Budweiser products at the following bars near Verizon Center:

RFD
Bar Louie
The Greene Turtle
Irish Channel
Lucky Strike
Rocket Bar
Penn Quarter Sports Tavern

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MIKE GREEN!

Coach Boudreau is writing a weekly column for the Caps website which will be published on Mondays.  In case you missed the first three, see below.

**Thank goodness Coach was not on United flight 175 on 9/11/2001!

Behind the Bench: 9-7-09
Editor's note: Coach Boudreau will author a weekly column for WashingtonCaps.com that will appear every Monday. This is his first column.
Monday, 09.07.2009 / 9:48 AM / Features

Today is the day we have all been waiting for. I love the summer, but today is the day when hockey returns, the day when we get the skates back on and get on the ice. It is where we are supposed to be. We circle this date on the calendar and look forward to it all summer because it is when we are able to do what we love again, and that is coach hockey.

I was so excited yesterday that I got to the rink at 7:30 a.m. That might have been a little too early because I was in my office looking for something to do. So I watched some film and waited for the day to really begin when the rookies showed up at 10 a.m. I was here at 6:30 a.m. today and am ready to get on the ice.

This is a special time of year because for a lot of guys this week, this is their first professional training camp. My first pro camp was in 1975 and was a little bit different than what camps are like today. I was the first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Fighting Saints in the WHA. The league was only a few years old then and was trying to rival the NHL. I had always been one of the better players on every team I played on and everything had been so easy for me up to that point. I had broken every scoring record, and thought I would do well in camp.

Boy was I surprised. I was 21 and went to my first camp 10-15 pounds overweight and at that age the weight kind of begins to stick with you. I went to camp and there were some tremendous veterans there, like Dave Keon and John McKenzie. These guys were icons in the ’60s and ’70s, and I went in there thinking I was all that, but really I was all nothing. The problem with me is that I had no idea how to work to become a professional hockey player. I was picked on unmercifully because I was the first-round pick, who was a little overweight and who did not take it as seriously as I should have.

Those are memories that stay with you and every other camp that I went into, I was in really good shape. I learned a great deal about what you have to do to become a pro hockey player from that camp, and I incorporate that into my coaching philosophy today. Everything I pretty much do as a coach is drawn from experiences because young kids don’t know what to do. They have no idea how hard they have to work because they are only used to working as hard as they need to at their current level. In no way does that prepare you for being NHL conditioned.

That is why we will push them really hard today. You have to have a barometer of seeing how hard they worked during the summer and you have to let them know that this is the pace you want to keep during the year. If they are not at that pace, then they need to get there in a hurry.

Young guys today come to camp and are not even close to being out of shape. If one of them is then it is definitely something I can talk to them about and identify with them and help them get going in the right direction. If a player is in the proper condition then they can pat themselves on the back knowing that they worked hard all summer and made it through today’s practice.

One of our main goals this week is to get the group to band together as a team really quickly. We want them to think they are all Washington Capitals and to work hard and to do things the right way. We have a game Friday in Philadelphia and we want to do everything we are capable of doing this week to prepare for that game. We also want them to have a feeling that they know what it takes to play for this club, so when they come back to development camp next summer or to camp next year that they are ready to go. If they do that then any mistake they made this year won’t be made again next year.
****************************************************************
Behind the Bench: 9-14-09
Coach Boudreau's second column of Behind the Bench
Monday, 09.14.2009 / 12:21 PM / Features
 
On Sept. 11, 2001, I was supposed to be on United Airlines flight 175. That was one of the two flights that flew into the World Trade Center. I was named head coach of the AHL’s expansion Manchester franchise in the off-season, and Los Angeles was our NHL affiliate. The only reason I wasn’t on that flight was because Andy Murray, who coached the Kings, wanted to have a dinner with his staff prior to training camp.

Andy was a very meticulous coach, so it was a bit odd that this dinner was not on the original itinerary because of how detail-orientated he was. I was originally supposed to travel with my assistant coach Bobby Jay and Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis in our scouting department because we all lived in the same area. At Andy’s request, the Kings changed mine and Bobby’s tickets and we flew from Boston to Los Angeles on Sept. 10 instead. At the time, I did not think anything of it, but looking back now, Andy’s decision to have a dinner with his staff saved my life. The ramifications run deep. Ace and Mark were not as fortunate. Everyone remembers where they were on that day, and I have the memory of losing a couple good friends. It’s rough.

I thank my lucky stars every day that Andy scheduled a coaches meeting. I thanked him a thousand times over that week for making the change, but it was a double-edged sword because one of my better friends, Ace, went through that. You feel guilty for thanking him and for changing the flight, but at the same time you are very grateful. It’s weird. I owe him my life.

The most chilling thing for me is that everyone was calling my wife, Crystal, around 9 a.m. on Sept. 11 and asking, “Did Bruce go to Los Angeles? Is he safe?” She did not know what they were talking about because she had not turned on the TV. Once they told her what was happening, she called my hotel and woke me up at around 6 a.m. to make sure I was there and fine, even though we had talked the night before after I landed.

My kids were in school in Canada at the time and when they found out, they ran out of the building and they ran the two miles to home. They did not have any cell phones at that time and had to phone Crystal to make sure I was safe. They were scared stiff because they knew that was the day that I was supposed to fly, and I did not tell them that I had changed flights. It was pretty chilling to listen to them tell the story. As a father, you picture them looking up at the TV screen in the school, seeing this and knowing that your dad is supposed to be on that flight.

There are two things that I do every year now because of that day. The first is that I make sure I play in the Ace Bailey Golf Classic in Manchester. I don’t care where I am, I always go back for it. His wife, Kathy, has done a great job creating a charity for Ace and the charity does a lot for hospitals in the Boston area.

The second is now that I have the ability to have a dinner with the coaches the day before camp, we have one.
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 Behind the Bench: 9-21-09
Head Coach Bruce Boudreau's weekly column
Monday, 09.21.2009 / 10:15 AM / Features
 
Last week and this week, I have been doing something that is not fun, but is totally necessary—that is cutting guys.

I was cut 12 times at NHL camps, so I know how it feels. I don’t like doing it and we do not take it lightly. Players today work so hard in the summer and come in with the thought that they can make the team. The average fan can look at a roster and say this guy or that guy is making the team and that may be true, but when you are a coach it is difficult.

I hate giving bad news. I don’t think anybody relishes in firing people and that is basically what you are doing when you are a coach up here. We try to have such a competitive camp and try to leave the ones going to Hershey in a positive frame of mind. I was on the receiving end of the generic cut many times where the coach says you are being sent down and that you need to, “Go down and work at it.” I never appreciated that, so I tell our guys the truth. I tell them they did not work hard enough or I tell them that they are going to have to work really hard to get a spot in Hershey because they are usually so good. I let them know what they need to work on why they are not in the NHL. The guys that are going to go to Hershey will know that we know they can play. Now we can call them up and they can make inroads here and do the things that can help them possibly get to the NHL on a full-time basis. Even though it is a miserable day in most of their lives, we want to leave them with a very positive outlook on the future.

However, we do not want them to get the feeling that just because they did not make this team that the minor league team is an easy walk. The Hershey team works so hard and is always a threat to win the Calder Cup, so I think that is an important thing to tell them.

Throughout camp we also try to reward guys who maybe are not going to make the team, but who work really hard while they are here. For instance, this year Ryan Jasinsky was just invited to rookie camp. He did a great job and got into a great fight in the rookie game so we rewarded him and invited him to the main camp. We have guys slated for Hershey who have been working so hard that we are going to keep them around for a few more days and they might get into a game. There were guys in Chicago the other night who worked so hard and played so well that we are going to have to give them another game. A lot of times the additional game is based upon not that they are going to make the team, but to see if their consistency is going to hold up. If it is then maybe they can be a genuine call up.

Caps fans, this year’s Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiary, ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer, is hosting the Dash for Dad 10K race at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27.

The mission of ZERO – The Project to End Prostate Cancer is to eradicate prostate cancer through awareness, outreach, advocacy and research. The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area leads the country in prostate cancer death rates. Nationwide, a man dies from the disease every 18 minutes. But there is hope – education about prostate cancer risk and access to screenings can save countless lives.

All proceeds from the Dash for Dad 10K will go to prostate research and free screenings in the Washington, D.C., area to those at risk.

For more information, see link. You can also follow ZERO on Twitter.

С ДНЁМ РОЖДЕНИЯ

ALEX OVECHKIN!

(HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY OVI!)

Photo 2009 © Cheryl Nichols. All Rights Reserved.

SneakerBall is an annual black tie and sneakers gala that celebrates the best of sports in the Greater Washington D.C. region, Organized by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Foundation.

New to SneakerBall VI is an interactive awards program. For the first time in the history of SneakerBall the public voted for the winners in categories that define excellence in athletic performance, franchise leadership, community sponsorship and media coverage.

SneakerBall VI was held last night, September 15, at the National Building Museum and raised $600,000 for the Greater Washington Sports Alliance Foundation! Steinberg has some fun photos on the Bog today.

AND THE AWARDS GO TO......

D.C. Sportsperson of the Year: ALEXANDER OVECHKIN!!!!

• Second year in a row. Ovi called DC his second home during his acceptance speech and also said, "just can't wait to start playing some games and win some games and go to the playoffs and try to win the Stanley Cup."

Sports Executive of the Year: Presented to the executive who has best displayed leadership, creativity, and poise while increasing the organization’s brand awareness.

GEORGE MCPHEE

• Vice President and General Manager of Washington Capitals
  
  
  
  
  

• Served for 12 years as Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Capitals
• Provided solid direction for the Capitals franchise by instituting a team-first philosophy that has extended from his hockey operations staff to the players on the ice
• Led a Capitals organization that has grown from a lottery team to Southeast Division champions in each of the last two seasons
• Acquired the No. 1 overall pick in 2004, Alex Ovechkin, the first player in league history to win both the Calder Trophy and the Hart Trophy in a three-year span
• This season (2008-09) was the first time in McPhee’s tenure that the Capitals consisted entirely of players he had acquired (via draft, trade, free agency or waivers)
• Under his leadership the team has claimed four Southeast Division championships (1999-00, 2000-01, 2007-08 and 2008-09), five 40-or-more win seasons (1997-98, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2007-08 and 2008-09) and a club-record 108-point season (2008-09)

Best Sports Play Award: Presented to the best single play in a local professional sporting contest deemed to be the most impressive, remarkable or notable in the past 12 months.

Alexander Ovechkin Regular Season Goal: Ovechkin scores a phenomenal goal against the Montreal Canadians (18th Feb. 2009)

Best Team Mascot Award: SLAPSHOT lost to "CHIEF ZEE" The Washington Redskins

Corporate Sponsor of the Year: Geico

Solid Character Award: Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins Tight End (Mike Green lost to Cooley)

Best Sports Feature: Remembering Sean Taylor - Lindsay Czarniak, WRC-TV-NBC4

Alexander Ovechkin is the only Washington DC athlete to receive the Sportsman of the Year Award from the Greater Washington Sports Alliance. It was first awarded in 2008 at SneakerBall V and it has been reported that Ovi took the award home again tonight at SneakerBall VI.

Congratulations Ovi!

More updates on the other awards when they are announced.

**Update**

Press Release:

Jay Beagle, Boyd Gordon Host Capitals Hockey School at Stuart-Hobson Middle School
Saturday, 09.12.2009 / 8:43 PM / Community

ARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals right wings Jay Beagle and Boyd Gordon along with Slapshot visited Stuart-Hobson Middle School in Washington, D.C., this afternoon, Friday, Sept. 11, to host the Capitals Hockey School presented by Chevy Chase Bank. The duo began the session fielding questions from students in the middle school’s gym before directing a floor hockey session with the 150 excited fifth-eighth grader students.

Led by Peter Robinson, the Capitals amateur hockey and fan development coordinator, Beagle and Gordon instructed the students about puck-handling, passing and shooting, before hosting a skills competition. Following the competition, students scrimmaged with the pair of players. The hour-long program concluded with the Capitals donating a set of floor hockey equipment to the school.

“The students were really loud and excited to get out there and try their new skills,” Beagle said. “Beagle and I tried to teach the kids different skills, and the kids were pretty good,” Gordon said. All students who participated in the session received autographed player cards from Beagle and Gordon.

To designate them as graduates of Hockey School, all students who participated in the clinic received a Caps Hockey 101 booklet and a squishy puck.

This is the third consecutive year the Capitals have conducted the program. The Caps hosted 20 clinics and reached 2,500 local students the past two years. During the 2009-10 season, thousands of elementary and middle school students will graduate from Hockey School presented by Chevy Chase Bank. Students will benefit from question-and-answer sessions with Caps representatives, including Caps players and coaches, where they will share information about their hockey backgrounds and fun facts about hockey and the team. The Caps will teach skills through verbal instruction and demonstrations and allow students to sharpen their technique during the interactive clinics. At the end of each visit, students will receive Hockey 101 booklets, squishy pucks and autographed player cards to signify that they graduated from Hockey School presented by Chevy Chase Bank.

Alex Ovechkin is the not only the face of the Washington Capitals, but also the face of the video game NHL 2K10. Ovechkin will appear on the cover of the game available on Xbox 360®, PlayStation®2, PLAYSTATION®3 and Wii™ on September 15, 2009.

The NHL 2K10 Lauch Party is today from 4-6pm in New York City. Ovi even rode a custom zamboni down the streets of NYC! Check out Dan Steinberg's Sports Bog Twitter for up to date information and pictures. Here is one of Dan Steinberg's pictures.

Caps fans, the Washington Mystics will host the team's final regular season home game of the 2009 season this Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. the Atlanta Dream. Tip-off at Verizon Center is 7p.m. Come join Alex Ovechkin as he supports the Mystics and their push for a playoff berth.

Alex will be signing autographs in Dewar's Club prior to the game and you can be there too with the Washington Mystics/Alex Ovechkin Ticket Package:

-One (1) lower level corner seat for the Mystics game on Saturday, Sept. 12

-One ticket to the exclusive meet-and-greet in Dewar's Club prior to game

-One Caps Rally Towel to be signed by Ovechkin during meet-and-greet

-Price: $60