Editor’s note: After two friends won an auction at Caps Care Casino Night, RMNB reader Julie Roemele was presented with the opportunity of a life-time: to learn hockey from some of her favorite NHL pros. This past Sunday, Kettler Capitals Iceplex hosted a Capitals hockey clinic featuring workshops from Brooks Laich, Matt Hendricks, Semyon Varlamov, Mike Green and Assistant Coach Bob Woods. Below, Julie describes her and her son Joshua’s experience.

Julie's all smiles as she skates at on the fresh sheet of ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. (Photo credit: Cheryl Nichols)

When someone gives you the chance to learn from the best, you don’t pass it up. So when my friends Mark and John called to invite me to a hockey clinic with the Capitals that they’d won at the Caps Care Casino Night, I couldn’t feign disinterest because I was a little afraid I’d be unsteady on the ice. Admittedly I’m more hockey mom than hockey player, even though I’ve been taking lessons for a year now.

Once at Kettler, the participants (there were about 20 of us) were split into five groups of four to work at five different drill stations. First up, defense with Caps Assistant Coach, Bob Woods. He’d pass each of us the puck and instruct us to circle as if trying to lose an opposing player. He would then dump a puck into the end boards while we skated after. To be honest, I suck at this and I was glad when the ten minutes were up, but it’s a skill I need to improve if I’m going to be a better player. I’ll definitely keep practicing it.

Then it was on to a lesson on screening the goalie with Brooks Laich. The ideal screening position looks a lot like a tripod, with your ass (his words, not mine) right in front of the goalie and your stick acting as a third leg, keeping you steady against any nefarious defensemen bent on checking you from behind. From there, we took turns alternating tipping in and batting down the shots Brooks took on net.

A soft-spoken Semyon Varlamov teaches the group how to properly stop shots. (Photo credit: Lisa Gasparott)

Next, Semyon Varlamov taught us how to take shots on the goalie. I know what you’re thinking, “Varly speaks English?” Yes, very well. He was soft-spoken and polite, introducing himself to everyone and spending extra time going over technique with the goalie in our group. I was the last to shoot and Varly even lined my five pucks up. At the end of the session, I said, “Spasiba” [Thank you] to which Varly responded, “You’re welcome.” I couldn’t stop myself from giggling a little because he was so unexpectedly sweet.

After Varly, I was running late to Matt Hendricks’ mini clinic and got subsequently called out for it.

“Hi, I’m Matt,” Hendricks said.

“Yeah, I know” I responded, jokingly sarcastic. Hendricks just laughed and smiled before starting in on the lesson. He had us working in the corners on both offense and defense. This involved taking turns either guarding the puck with our stick, trying to create a turnover or positioning ourselves between the offense and the goalie. While the drill was fun and physical, I have a better appreciation of how exhausting board battles can be.

Mike Green smiles as Julie takes the puck out of the corner. (Photo credit: Lisa Gasparott)

Finally, Mike Green worked with us on passing and shooting. My passes are rarely tape-to-tape. I think there might be a hole in my blade, so when Green was able to pass to me, I was amazed. Not everyone can say they took a pass from Mike Green. More than just the pointers from Greenie, the slower pace of these drills gave me a chance to actually chat with the blue-liner, mostly about how tired Hendy’s session had left us.

When the clinic was over, everyone got the chance to participate in a shootout. I opted out; I wanted to get my son and show Green the sign he’d had made him a year earlier (with Emily Karol’s help). After group pictures and some autograph signing, the afternoon was done and we were left with an unforgettable experience.

Even though I learned some pointers from some of my favorite players, exchanged jokes with Matt Hendricks and heard the seemingly straight-laced Brooks Laich curse, the best part of the clinic was watching my seven year-old autistic son, also a hockey player with the NOVA Cool Cats, impress both Mike Green with his skillful Autobot impression and Hendricks with his knowledge of Minnesota. I got more from that than I did anything I learned on the ice that day.

Bonus Photos via Cheryl Nichols. Click to englarge!

Editing by Meredith Jones. Additional reporting by Ian Oland.

[Ed. Note: Since the RMNB group members are stationed everywhere in this area except for DC and Northern Virginia, we again had to miss out on an awesome event run by the Washington Capitals. But lucky for us, fan of the Blog, and mini-celebrity of the day Emily Karol was here to bail us out with all the details, photos and gossip. Take it away, Emily!]

Emily’s Summary of the Event

This past Sunday, I was lucky enough to attend the first-ever CapsCare Casino and Auction. Let me preface this piece with telling you, I’m an actress trying to make it in this crazy world and only had enough money for a VIP ticket and nothing else. So sadly, I didn’t bid on any of the auctions and the $50,000 “fun bucks” they gave us remained in my program the whole evening. I forgot to trade it in for the 5 raffle tickets, eh… c’est la vie.

Emily Getting Ready For the Event

I booked a room at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center for the evening. They offered a discounted rate for a huge room if you were with the Capitals and I knew I would not be capable of driving my car the hour it would take me to get back to Annapolis, MD. Anyways, Check-In for the event began at 6pm, with the VIP portion starting at 6:30. I was, of course, fashionably late and didn’t arrive until a mere 5 minutes before the VIP party began. The line was long and the ages ranged from 60′s to 21. (No one under 21 the whole event, there was an open bar after all. Two in the VIP room and four in the casino).

There is one phrase that came to mind when I walked in the VIP room. Complete Chaos. It has nothing to do with the way the Capitals organization handled this portion. No, it’s what happens when you take about 100/150 people and let them loose in a room that usually houses business-meetings but was now hosting the number 1 team in the East of the NHL. The guys were casually spread around the room, so one could just walk up to them and ask for a picture, autograph, and most times just hold a casual conversation. I decided to take the first 20 minutes and observe the room from a bar table. (Didn’t figure out until the end of the VIP, that I was sitting next to the table with all of the players wives/ girlfriends). Neuvi was the only member of the team not at the event. After doing one trip around the room with my Merlot in hand, I decided I needed to jump in and meet some of the players. I tried to get all of the Young Guns, but Semin alluded me every time I got a glimpse. The players were extremely personable and gave attention to each high-paying fan that approached them. I was able to track down and get photographed with Green, Backstrom, Laich, Fleischmann, (Brendan) Morrison, Knuble, Ovi, Laing, Bradley, and Alzner. The guys were extremely nice and very personable. (I could write a detail of each meeting but that would take forever, just drop me a message on twitter if you want specifics.) Let me just say though that every one does #needmorebradley and also they #needmoreknubleandlaing.

7:30 finally rolled around and we were being casually ushered out of the room by a dinner bell. There was no “alright, get out. Now.”, it was more “please go spend your money on the casino and enjoy dinner”. So the ranks of fans swelled from 150 to about 600. I now had access to a huge ballroom which housed the casino tables, seating-areas that were on raised platforms with white leather couchs, food galore, and a house band keeping the music going all night. Not once did the event feel over-crowded though. The players were let-loose onto the casino floor, and they gambled away there money at many of the tables. They stopped and posed with fans when anyone asked. The casino was completely mellow and I found myself running into a bunch of the players and chit-chatting with them. Especially, Knuble at the sushi table and the consensus was that it all looked amazing and one of us should run off with a platter.

Outside of the casino was the silent auction tables and the Rock Band and Wii Bowling stations. I also found service for my iphone and was able to tweet about things more immediately. I spent most of my evening in this area because some hilarious things ensued: Ovi, Laich, Fehr, and the Red Rockers failing “Eye of the Tiger” on Rock Band, Fleischmann “trying” to play Rock Band, Mr. Nasty being quietly intense on wii bowling and meeting Sloan, Stretch and Nate Ewell in one fell swoop. Then something really exciting happened to me. I made my way back over to Rock Band and before a huge crowd developed, was able to offer my services as a singer for the next few rounds. I got to rock out “Eye of the Tiger” with Theo on the drums and Mr. Nasty playing guitar (on the Hard level, I might add). We got to play a few more songs together while a crowd formed and took pictures. That was definitely a highlight of my evening, and I love the pictures that http://capitals.nhl.com have of me with Theo and Schultz.

Around 9:20, it was announced that the live auction would start in the ballroom. One by one the guys lined up onstage with each item they were a part of. Green stood up onstage with a portrait of himself. He did not paint this, but it was from his personal collection. Another item was a ping-pong tourney with Morrison, Green, Backstrom, and Fleischmann at the Phonebooth. Boudreau got in on the action and was auctioning off the chance to attend a cocktail party at his residence with Dean and Bob and their wives. Boudreau made sure to get in a few quips during the bidding, offering a sauna at his place to the winner, but there will be no sleepover. Haha. I didn’t document each winning bid, but I can safely say that they all ranged between $6000 and $9000. A lot of money was raised during the live auction alone, that will benefit the Capitals charities.

Sadly, 10 o’clock rolled around and people started filing out of the ballroom and waiting in line at the coat check. I didn’t rush, since all I had to do was stumble up to the 10 floor. (Told you, it would come in handy. I was completely exhausted.) The players slowly dispersed and heading off to other destinations, whether glamorous or domestic. I discovered a crowd of people in the main lobby watching the OT of the football game. Schultz, Pothier, and Laing were all up there watching the game. The game and the CapsCare Casino and Auction ended in that overtime field goal.

I had an unbelievable time and it was completely worth $400 for the VIP ticket. I can’t wait to hear about how much the event raised for charity. I know I had a blast and it looked like every one else and the players did too. Bravo to Ted Leonsis and the Washington Capitals. You thoroughly entertained this fan.

Emily’s Photos

Alex Ovechkin - eyes barely open due to the 865 flash photos he

Emily with Brendan Morrison. Too much Mountain Dew beforehand for B-Mo

Emily posing with Brooks Laich. WHAT A DREAMBOAT!!!!!!!!!!

Flash looking caged in his suit, Emily looking happy to have her arm around him

Karl Alzner just happy to be at a team function not hosted by the Hershey Bears.

Quintin Laing - You couldn

The man who steals the Russian Machine's fights! We never forget Bradley.

Emo Mike Green mugs to the camera, doesn't notice anyone else is in the frame.

Surprised Mike Knuble didn't have a hardhat and a lunchpail to go along with his professional attire here.

Caps Senior PR Man Nate Ewell takes time out from slaying everyone on Rock Band to pose with Emily.

Nicklas Backstrom poses with Emily, we wonder where his buddies Hart and Selke are hiding in this photo

15th String Goalie and Best Video Guy On The Planet Brett Leonhardt finds time for Emily. A+++ on the hat selection.

Gigantic Green Painting Auctioned Off - Lobsided Head ignored by drunk Bidders

All The Caps on stage. Bruce makes Alex Semin do pushups out of frame because his shirt's not tucked in.

The Young Guns on Stage

Emily’s Tweets During the Night

Good night #CAPS fans! I’m officially beat, can’t imagine what the guys feel like. I’m catching practice in the am. Nite world *yawns* about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Got to meet @brettleonhardt @nateewell @GreenLife52 @EricFehr16 @ovi8. All great people!! Great evening after an amazing week of hockey about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Will post pics soon from #capscarecasino about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Keep an eye out of feb 4th when I’m at MSG watching the caps/ rags… Will be updating like crazy. Thanks to all of my new follows. about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Mr Nasty has yet to leave … Watching the game and now everyone heads home on that field goal! I’m going to crash! about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Peope have moved upstairs at the hilton to watch the OT in the football game while others are downstairs cleaning up. about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Hahha found it! Free booze is not helping me. I had soo much fun, sad it’s over #capscarecasino about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Also dammit where is my coat check ticket??? Ack! about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Event is winding down. Most players scrammed. Highly enjoyable and my feet at killing me. I’m going to crawl up to my room and crash! about 17 hours ago from Twittelator

Boudreau just said we will have a sauna later regarding his live auction gift but denied a sleepover to the possible winner about 18 hours ago from Twittelator

Mr nasty keeps playing rock Band on HARD and now Q is watching him about 18 hours ago from Twittelator

Wow the live auction is going for large sums of money. This thing has been crazy and highly enjoyable and semin has disappeared. Drat about 18 hours ago from Twittelator

Theo and flash and mr nasty are trying rock band now …. Totally got to sing with them!!! Woot about 18 hours ago from Twittelator

Fehr and laich doing eye of the tiger. Not failing…. Well almost #capscarecasino http://twitpic.com/zmzwu about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

FYI…. Neuvi is NOT here tonight. Only member not here #capscarecasino about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

Uh eye of the tiger. wow the red rockers are special singers Haha they failed it http://twitpic.com/zmyih about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

I think I’m standing right next to @nateewell hahahah. Tweeting about the same thing #CAPS about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

Ovi, laich playing rock band with some red rockers. Jujube (huge) crowd around them about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

Mr. Nasty is playing wii bowling And Sasha is playing some roulette about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

There is noooo service in the ballroom. Players are hitting it up on the casino tables right now #capscarecasino about 19 hours ago from Twittelator

The players have been introduced, are now roaming free. The casino is much quieter than the VIP room. Also, I will track down semin for pic about 20 hours ago from Twittelator

Players are being rounded up before let loose on the casino floor. #capscarecasino about 20 hours ago from Twittelator

VIP is over now onward to the regular festivities. Semin avoided as many people as possible. #capscarecasino about 20 hours ago from Twittelator

Ovi looks rather bored now. And looks like the players brought there g/fs. I saw Sasha(Varly)  with Dasha and whoever Ovi is dating *shrugs* about 20 hours ago from Twittelator

Semin and Ovi have found each other. all is right in the world. #CAPS about 20 hours ago from Twittelator

The #CAPS players seem to be enjoying themselves even though they are surrounded my high paying fans. Semin is hanging by himself. Cool about 21 hours ago from Twittelator

It’s soo loud here, right now. #capscarecasino #CAPS about 21 hours ago from Twittelator

The place is crazy. I’m in the only calm area because the people have attacked the players. Hahaha. Wow! http://twitpic.com/zmc7l about 21 hours ago from Twittelator

This place is a zoo and it’s only the VIP crowd. Wow. Also the age range is all over the spectrum. #capscarecasino #CAPS about 21 hours ago from Twittelator

Alright here I go… #capscarecasino http://twitpic.com/zm7np

Video of the Night Courtesy of the Washington Capitals

Also, check out the photos from the Capitals Website.