Thursday afternoon, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin hosted nearly 50 kids from the Fort Dupont Cannons program for a holiday skate at the Capitals practice facility.
The players ranged in age 5 to 18 and are based at Fort Dupont Ice Arena, the only full-size indoor ice arena in Washington. Founded in 1977 by Coach Neal Henderson, they Cannons are the oldest minority youth hockey program in North America.
“I was a little kid once too and my dream was to skate with some NHL players or some guys who I knew and I grew up watching,” Ovechkin said to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “It’s a great opportunity for me and for them.”
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Ovechkin gave all the kids presents of signed hockey sticks, but one player got something extra special.
All of the Cannons players received an autographed, souvenir stick, but Eric Bennett, 15, was particularly fortunate. When Ovechkin was finished skating with the kids, he signed the stick he was using and gave it to Bennett.
“I asked the guys, ‘Who’s the best player out there?'” Ovechkin said. “They said it was [Bennett], so I gave him my stick and I hope he’s going to be a professional athlete and is going to have fun.”
This is the second time Ovechkin has hosted the skate. In March 2015, the Russian machine gave 35 kids Beats By Dre headphones.
And that’s how Santa Ovi saved Christmas.
Photos
All photos via the @Capitals
