The Washington Capitals are celebrating Black History during the month of February. The month-long celebration culminated on Saturday with a day of events for the Capitals-Rangers game at Capital One Arena. One of the scheduled events included a ceremonial puck drop by former Capitals winger and Stanley Cup Champion, Devante Smith-Pelly.
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The Capitals welcomed Smith-Pelly back to MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday. “DSP” mingled with his former teammates while attending the Caps’ practice and was joined by award-winning illustrator Robert Generette III (also known as “RobZilla”) film producer Kwame Brown in the team’s dressing room to discuss the significance of black players in the game of hockey and unveil the team’s warmup jerseys, designed by Generette III.
Photo: Washington Capitals
Smith-Pelly, an eight-year NHL veteran and 2018 Stanley Cup champion, announced his retirement from professional hockey on December 30.
Climb To The Mountain Top
Drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, 42nd overall, in the 2010 NHL Draft, Smith-Pelly became the third-youngest player in Ducks history to appear in an NHL game when he made his debut on October 7, 2011. Smith-Pelly signed with the Capitals as a free agent on July 3, 2017, and played two seasons with Washington.
In his first season with the Capitals, Smith-Pelly registered 16 points (7g, 9a) in a career-high 75 games. The Scarborough, Ontario native appeared in all 24 playoff games during Washington’s run to the Stanley Cup, registering eight points (7g, 1a).
Smith-Pelly scored a goal in the final three games of the Stanley Cup Final, including the game-winning goal in Game 4 and the game-tying goal in Game 5. Smith-Pelly’s three goals in the Stanley Cup Final were tied with Alex Ovechkin for the most on Washington.
Prior Black History Night puck drop participants have included Capitals alumnus Bill Riley and his granddaughter Kryshanda Green – the former and first Black captain of the Ryerson University Rams women’s hockey team, Capitals alumnus Joel Ward, U.S. representative John Lewis and NHL Legend Willie O’Ree and Fort Dupont Cannons coaches including Cannons founder Neal Henderson.
By Jon Sorensen
More Reading:
Devante Smith-Pelly Returns to MedStar Capitals Iceplex, Receives Rousing Ovation From Fans
He’s the Reason I Have a Ring: Former Capitals Teammates Believe Devante Smith-Pelly will Get Another Chance At an NHL Role
T. J. “Knuckles” Oshie with the Gordie Howe hat trick.
What a goon!
Welcome back DSP!