Photo: @Capitals
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is well-known for his charitable work with the various youth hockey players and children in the DMV. On Sunday, Ovechkin and the Capitals invited a special guest to their game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota.
While the Caps fell to the Wild 5-3, Ovechkin and Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov met with eight-year old Landen Hoffmann and his family. Landen and his siblings, are big Ovechkin fans despite living in Minnesota and were surprised with an invite and meeting to today’s game.
The Capitals and @ovi8 invited the Hoffmann Family to the game today after hearing their story.
See you after the game, Landen! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FYyodwN6vE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 19, 2023
Almost four years ago, Landen, who was just five at the time, survived almost-fatal injuries after being thrown off a third-floor balcony at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota by another mall-goer, who was subsequently sentenced to 19 years in prison for the incident. Suffering multiple skull fractures, a broken leg and arms, the young boy was in hospital for four months before returning home.
After the final horn had sounded, the Hoffmann Family met with Ovechkin and Kaprizov, who presented the young fan with signed memorabilia and a jersey.
Always wonderful to make a young fan’s day! Thanks for hanging with us today, Landon! 💚 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FXf9HZW79h
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 19, 2023
Another reminder that hockey is more than a game and a fitting honor to a courageous young man.
By Michael Fleetwood
