Hockey n’ Heels is one of the most popular fan events hosted by the Capitals every season. It gives female fans the opportunity to enjoy hands-on hockey-related activites with their favorite players, Capitals coaches, and other staff members. Each year, hundreds of fans show up in droves at Kettler Capitals Iceplex to have a fun time and interact with each other and their favorite players. NoVa Caps’ Lisa Desabrais and her daughter were among those to attend the event, and in this piece, she shares her personal account of the night’s events, including some of her favorites.

My daughter and I started the tradition last year of attending this event together. We learned how to block shots as a goalie, play broom ball, and take faceoffs with one another. Although we had a great time, we felt as though it would have been nice to have been able to take pictures with the Caps’ players in attendance, many of whom were the newer faces on the team. You always hope that events you choose to attend have different activities from year-to-year so that things feel fresh. This year the Capitals did exactly that. Ticket prices were $80.00 per person, or $70.00 per person for season ticket holders, which was money well spent.

Just like last year, all in attendance were broken into different groups, by color, and were accompanied by our own guide. First up on the agenda was having a go at taking a slapshot towards a goalie net, which is not as easy as the team makes it look, and boy does it sting without any gloves on your hands! Our special guest was Caps great Peter Bondra!

Next it was onto playing some broom ball. A pep talk beforehand was given, letting us know to not play all-out because, you know, there was ice underneath us. There were wipeouts here and there, but everyone seemed to be have a great time, including rookie defensemen Madison Bowey, and Christian Djoos. Unlike last year, with ten or so minutes left in the session, pictures were allowed to be taken with the players.

Our last session on the ice was the ability to take a faceoff photo with Chandler Stephenson and a picture wearing goalie gear with the players, which honestly was the best idea ever because it definitely had a calming effect on some, not all, of the aggressiveness of the women we saw last year that were going rogue and trying to get pictures and autographs. Poor Djoos and Bowey would have been scarred for life with some of the behavior I witnessed last year.

These activities were also running simultaneously at the other rink with Phillip Grubauer, Jakub Vrana, Brent Johnson, and Craig Laughlin.

We moved next to what was referred to as Trotz Talk with Head Coach Barry Trotz. It was a half hour session, but to be honest, I could have listened to Coach  Trotz talk all night. He answered all questions asked with a refreshing truthfulness and candor.
Although a very early morning kept us from staying to the end, we will definitely be back next year.

Lisa Desabrais

This events gives you the opportunity to share the love of hockey with friends and loved ones. It’s easy and free to join Scarlet Caps, which by the way, sponsors different activities through the season. Dress warm, wear the proper shoes and prepare to have a great time!

More photos from the event are here.

By Lisa Desabrais