On Monday night, the Capitals spent the night with about 3,000 fans, signing autographs and taking pictures during the club’s annual season ticket holder party at Capital One Arena. It was the first time in several years that the event was held at the arena, and while the venue was new for many, the challenge of long lines was a familiar one.
In addition to autographs and photographs, fans had an opportunity to skate on the Capitals’ home ice and tour the team locker room facilities. With long lines for popular players, it was difficult to make more than two stops during the event, meaning most fans got no more than 4 autographs.
Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jakub Vrana were paired up off the ice as well as on.
Andre Burakovsky and Dmitry Orlov signed for fans.
For many fans, the locker room tour was the highlight of the night.
Locker room entrance.
Where it all happens … the Capitals locker room.
Player gear.
Some inspiration for the team.
Words of wisdom from one of hockey’s greatest players.
The players’ lounge.
Outside the locker room entrance.
It’s back to work for the Capitals, as they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena tomorrow night.
By Harrison Brown
Additional photos:
So much fun!! Thank you!! @Capitals @NoVa_Caps #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/nJcA8qsOuQ
— Claire (@claire_shur) October 17, 2017
“I bumped into him and all I had on me was this bass guitar… And you’re not gonna not get TJ Oshie’s autograph, Right?” pic.twitter.com/IPasfpPh0J
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 17, 2017
📸🖊😁 #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/yT0QrnYmrK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 16, 2017
OK, my night is made. Hope Grubi liked the shirt I gave him. #ALLCAPS@PhilippGrubauer@Holts170@bbholtby@Capitalspic.twitter.com/3I3CO9tHHB
— Charlie McManus (@CharlieMcManus9) October 17, 2017
What a night!! @Capitals#ALLCAPSpic.twitter.com/88w0rZEFPM
— Croney✌🏼 (@Tonycrone1) October 17, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaVEYtIFJ9c/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaVMZm-AQe8/
I got back from the STH party a few minutes ago. I had gotten the photo op with Oshie and then got all messed up. I would have liked to get a photo op with Kuzy and Vrana but it was going on at the same time as the Oshie photo. So figured I’d get their autographs instead so I was lined up there. So, at around the time they started signing, they cut off the line — a few people before me. I also learned that some of the people in line for Kuzy and Vrana had originally wanted autographs of Holtby and Grubi but as that line was cut off, they stayed put. So, essentially the early part of the Kuzy line was being integrated with those who missed out on Holtby and if anybody had arrived at that line after, say 730, was screwed. So just one picture for me.
I think it was probably not a great idea to have two A list guys, like Kuzy and Holtby, to be at the same station trading off with one another. Or maybe there should be a armband to see Kuzy, like there was for Oshie and Ovi this year.
Better or worse than last year’s event?
Worse. Only got a autograph of Ovi this year and spent the whole time standing in line for Ovi autograph and then in line for autographs of Kuzy and Vrana which I never got.. Didn’t even get any food. Last year I got an autograph from Ovi (and Orlov), pic with Holtby and Chorney and autographs of Williams and Winnick. plus I got food and drink, what little there was of it.