Washington Capitals

Ahead of their traditional Super Bowl Sunday matinee against the San Jose Sharks, members of the Washington Capitals arrived to Capital One Arena with local youth hockey players, donning the sweaters of those players’ teams.

In addition to their tilt against the Sharks being their traditional Super Bowl Sunday contest, the Caps are also celebrating “Youth Hockey Day”. As part of the day’s festivities, members of the team were seen entering the building with select youth hockey players.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, lauded for his long-running work with local special needs youth hockey organizations, was joined by members of the Washington Ice Dogs, a youth program dedicated to children and young hockey players with developmental disabilities, including Ann Schaab, who he famously took on a sushi “date” in 2014, after Schaab, then 10-years old, “asked him out”, and in whose honor he donated a Honda Accord received after the 2015 NHL All-Star Game to the Ice Dogs.

Youth Hockey Day bringing Ovi and his #Gr8 friend Ann back together is what we love to see ❤️#ALLCAPS | @IceDogsSHW pic.twitter.com/eIxFcW0TDv

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2023

Center Nicklas Backstrom was joined by his son Vince, both donning St. James Hockey Academy jerseys.

All smiles for Youth Hockey Day! 😁📸 pic.twitter.com/5jDz0wOoGU

— Caps Youth Hockey (@CapsYouthHockey) February 12, 2023

this moment between backy and his son pregame is everything pic.twitter.com/bV2VNdU4zd

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2023

Other organizations represented by the Caps and their special guests were, according to the team: “the St. John’s College High School, the Potomac Lady Patriots Junior hockey team, Washington Pride girls hockey (repped by Dylan Strome and Liv Murray), Montgomery Ice Devils,  Ashburn Ice House, Baltimore Banners, Calvert Hall High School, Caps Academy, Fort Dupont Cannons, Langley High School,Northeastern Co-Op, NOVA Cool Cats, Piedmont Predators, Potomac Lady Patriots, Reston Raiders, Tucker Road Ducks, Washington-Liberty High School, Navy Hockey…and Winston Churchill High School.”

Dylan Strome and Washington Pride player Liv Murray arrive in style for Youth Hockey Day! @Capitals pic.twitter.com/NeSH5dQ0Jy

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 12, 2023

More Scenes From Youth Hockey Day:

This is some super content right here#ALLCAPS | @Kia pic.twitter.com/wJqluof9tx

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 12, 2023

Photos: Washington Capitals

Backstrom arrives with son Vince ahead of today’s Youth Hockey Day game! 😍@Capitals pic.twitter.com/Butguiv40N

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 12, 2023

By Michael Fleetwood