Washington Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin, left wing Jason Chimera and mascot Slapshot visited Saint James Catholic School in Falls Church, Virginia on Monday, September 12 to demonstrate and teach floor hockey to 220 fifth through eighth graders.

The students normally wear uniforms to school, however, got to wear "gym clothes" on Monday for the hockey session and almost everyone was rocking the red. A handful were even wearing Capitals jerseys.

The Saint James School physical education teacher, Jane Briggs, wrote to the Capitals to express her students interest in hockey and was selected as one of the Hockey Schools. Briggs wanted to "introduce [hockey] to them because it's a game that anyone can play" and she wanted to promote the game which she added to her curriculum.

Caps presented an "Official Capitals Hockey School" banner

The players started the clinic by answering questions from the students. The kids had put in a lot of thought and wrote questions on cards ahead of time. One student asked players, "Who is the best player in hockey?" Chimera said Ovi and Ovi said Chimera which was followed by a lot of laughter and applause from the crowd.

Along with the Caps Amateur Hockey & Fan Development Coordinator, Peter Robinson, Alex and Jason demonstrated basic hockey skills such as stick handling, passing, shooting with the help of Slapshot. As excited as the kids were to see Chimera and Ovi, they went wild for Slapshot!

Students volunteered to get hands on training after each new skill was introduced. Two students even dressed up in goalie gear and protected their net during a scrimmage. It was "boys against girls" and Chimera lead the boys to a 1-0 victory over Ovi and the girls.

After the hockey session, Briggs and several of the other teachers and staff commented on how much fun the students had and thanked the Caps players for coming. Briggs was beaming and said, "It was the best assembly I think I've ever had."

Chimera and Ovechkin with Saint James School Teachers and Staff

As a special treat, fifth graders sang a song for the Capitals and thanking them for coming to their school. 

I'm not sure who had more fun, the students or Alex Ovechkin! Ovi was all smiles.

All of the students who participated in the hockey session received pre-signed autographed player cards from Ovechkin and Chimera as well as Caps soft pucks and Hockey 101 booklets. 

This was the second Capitals Hockey School visit this season. The Capitals host two Hockey School visits each month between September and May and donate street hockey equipment to each participating school. This is the fifth-consecutive year the Capitals have conducted this rewarding program. The Caps have hosted more than 50 clinics and reached more than 7,500 students in the past four years. Hockey School is a free program, designed to be both instructional and interactive, with the goal of exposing students to floor hockey while teaching proper technique.

Equipment donated to school

Additional Photos:

Ovi peeking around the corner before being announced

Chimera introducing himself

Ovi introducing himself and making everyone laugh, including Chimera

Ovi introducing himself

Q&A Session

Q&A Session

Ovi couldn't help himself - kept bouncing the ball on stick

Slapshot

Ovi and Chimera showed how to pass over Slapshot

Chimera and Ovechkin listening to the fifth graders sing

Chimera and Ovechkin with Jane Briggs

Watch video from washcaps.com:

The Washington Capitals In-Game Entertainment folks always do a great job with the video montages and such. They did a new video for the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to "Nightmare" by Avenged Sevenfold.

Fans in the lower bowl most likely didn't get to see the Caps logos flashing on the ice during the beginning. Check out this version of the playoffs opening video showing arena on left and actual video on right. 

Playoffs Opening Video with Arena:

Playoffs Opening Video (Game 2):

Eric Fehr Chats with Dan Hellie and Hakem Dermish about the playoffs.

NBC Washington's Lindsey Czarniack caught up with Caps Defensemen Karl Alzner and John Carlson for a recent "Lunch with Lindsey."

Washington Capitals season ticket holders did not get to see Alex Ovechkin and Semyon Varlamov at the pontponed Six Flags Party on October 18, 2010 because they were already committed to a commercial shoot at ESPN in Connecticut.

The anticipated commerical turned out great. Check it out. (h/t RMNB)

Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Challenge is Saturday, October 23, 2010 -- Run, Bike, Walk on The Mall in Washington, DC. See link for details of how to donate or volunteer at event.




Press Release:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Challenge To Be Held on Oct. 23
Friday, 10.01.2010 / 8:41 AM / News

On Saturday, October 23rd, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver (EKS) Challenge will be held in the nation’s capital. Ted Leonsis, internet pioneer and owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards, along with his Buddy, Ken Holden, a six-time medalist in the Special Olympics, will serve as Co-Chairs of the event.

This event is part of an ongoing effort to honor the legacy of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, whose lifelong mission was to ensure that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities had opportunities for success in the classrooms, on the playing fields, and in the work force. The event, which will benefit both Best Buddies and Special Olympics, will celebrate friendship, teamwork, and competition.

"I am honored to be serving as chair of this important event with my Buddy, Ken Holden." says Leonsis. "Ken and I have been Buddies for the past 10 years and I look forward to working alongside this amazing friend and athlete to make this a day to remember in the nation's capital."

In addition to Leonsis, many of Washington’s biggest names and faces are enthusiastically lending their support and signing up to participate in the EKS Challenge, which will include politicians, corporate executives, professional athletes, celebrities, family members, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The day’s events will kick off at 7:30 am and will feature a 20-mile cycling event led by Mayor Adrian Fenty and renowned Tour de France cyclists Bobby Julich and Christian Vande Velde, starting at the Washington Monument, riding past the Capitol and through the city. The day’s activities will also include The Carl Lewis Challenge, a 5K run and 3K walk, led by the Olympic gold-medalist himself. There will also be a Celebrity Youth Fun Run, where students age 22 and under will run alongside featured celebrities.

"I know my mother is looking down with a huge smile and sense of satisfaction that Best Buddies and Special Olympics together have launched a ride, run and walk that will celebrate and recognize the enormous talents and leadership abilities of all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman, Best Buddies International.

Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, agrees. “We invite everyone to participate in this historic event so that they can feel the amazing world of welcome that our athletes create.”

The EKS Challenge will be much more than a ride, a run or a walk… it will be the ultimate sightseeing experience and the start of a beloved new tradition in the nation’s capital. Similar to Eunice Kennedy Shriver herself, this event will soon be a staple in the disability movement in Washington DC. It is not to be missed! To register, volunteer or get more information on the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Challenge, please go to http://www.ekschallenge.org/

For the 2010-2011 season, Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green and Elliot Segal's(Elliot in the Morning on DC101) program "So Kids Can" will benefit KaBoom!, a DC based non-profit organization that helps communities build playgrounds. 

For every goal Mike Green scores this season, he and Elliot will make a donation to their KaBoom Playground Fund.  To build the playground (in a DC neighborhood TBD), they need to raise $75,000.  The Washington Capitals and IceWeb have each donated $10,000 to start the fund.

If you would like to make a donation, download form here and please send a check made payable to Washington Capitals Charities earmarked for So Kids Can to:

Washington Capitals Charities/So Kids Can
627 N. Glebe Road
Suite 850
Arlington, VA 22203

To make a one-time, flat donation online click here to be taken to the Caps PayPal Donations page and note that you would like your money to go to So Kids Can.  Every dollar helps!

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.

SneakerBall VII is an interactive awards program. The public voted in categories that define excellence in athletic performance, franchise leadership, community sponsorship and media coverage and winners were announced on September 14, 2010. 

RED ROCKERS won the Best Team Spirt Award: Presented to the most enthusiastic and motivating Spirit Team in the Greater Washington, D.C. region. Congrats Red Rockers!

London Fletcher of the Washington Redskins won the Solid Character Award: Presented to the professional athlete that best exemplifies community and charitable qualities.  Mike Green was nominated for this award.

Eric Fehr, John Carlson, Brooks Laich and Nicklas Backstrom represented the Capitals at the 2010 Sneaker Ball in Washington, DC.  Stretch spoke to each of them on the red carpet and got the scoop on their sneakers and favorite DC athlete (non-Caps).

• Fehr borrowed sneakers from John Carlson and favorite local athlete is Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez because he grew up watching him play.
• Carlson was rockin' the red in "red old school Reebok pumps." John also likes Pudge, but got to meet Chris Cooley recently and picked him as his favorite local athlete.
• Backstrom was excited to attend his first sneakerball and bought new shoes. Nicky likes Chris Cooley and Mike Sellers.
• Laich wore the same sneakers as last year and wants to get more flashy ones like Stretch's cool sneakers. "I like Nyjer Morgan for the Nats. He used to play in the Western League hockey up in Canada. And then, you know, two weeks ago the little rubarb he started. (laughter). I like his game. But he's also a good player. He can steal bases. He make catches at the wall. I think he's a fantastic player." Stretch added, "We'll have to get him out on the ice" and Brooks agreed, "Yeah, you bet. Get him out."

Check out the video from the red carpet....

NHL had a live press conference at noon today from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to unveil the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Logo and mockup of the ice rink. WATCH HERE.

The Washington Capitals were represented by President Dick Patrick, General Manager George McPhee and players Mike Knuble and David Steckel.  NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Penguins representatives, and Steelers President Art Rooney II were also in attendance.  NBC and VERSUS Announcer Doc Emrick was on hand to emcee the event.

To receive 2011 Winter Classic updates and ticket information, submit information here.  It is also recommended to book hotels room ASAP (game is on New Year's Day).

Dear Beloved Caps,

Please go out and skate your hearts out tonight. This is a must win and you must win!! We know you can win. You are a MUCH better team than Montreal. 

Please show your fans that you are not ready for the season to be over yet!  Play like the Capitals that won 14 straight games!  Let's Go Caps!

Thank you,
Caps Fans

Listen to this speech and it will fire you up for tonight!
"This is Your Time"

If you haven't been able to get a ticket to a playoff game or were still standing in line for beer, here is the Washington Capitals 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs Pre-Game Video. Gives me chills every time I watch it. 

Nothing Else Matters...

Caps fans are very creative.  When you get a minute, check out the "Caps Rap" by Andrew Bowser.  It is a great way to start the first Monday of the new year!

The man behind the video....

Andrew Bowser is a relatively new Caps fan and once he started attending games last year with his brother-in-law, he was hooked.  Andrew enjoys making videos and once he falls in love with something, "a silly rap song on the subject is quick to follow!" 

While the lyrics to the "Caps Rap" took a while, the video took less than a week to shoot and edit. The Caps players (Laich, Bradley, Green and Backstrom) and George McPhee were happy to make an appearance in Bowser's video. 

Maybe you'll see Andrew rocking his hip red outfit at a future Caps game!  We look forward to more Caps videos!