ARLINGTON, Va. (DC News Now) — The Washington Capitals took to the ice Monday at their Medstar Capitals Iceplex practice facility with their newest teammates for the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer event.
Players spent about an hour with children who are suffering from cancer or are in remission.
“It’s always been a day that I look forward to spend with the kids … great joy,” said Capitals Right Winger Tom Wilson.
Wilson teamed up with 7-year-old Hudson Bacon during the one-hour session. The young boy from Burke, Va. has been in remission from lymphoma for about a month.
“Everyone has a smile on their face. Being able to experience the joy the Capitals team, the staff, the players are enabling for the kids right now is amazing,” said Bacon’s father Ben.
Not only did children get to skate with players, but they also got autographs from the team, including star player Alex Ovechkin.
The Capitals and the National Hockey League have teamed up for more than 25 years in their Hockey Fights Cancer program. Since 2017, the Capitals have skated with some of their youngest fans who are battling the disease.
Though the skate session came to an end on Monday, its impact will last much longer than a few hours on the ice.
“It puts life into perspective. These are kids that, unfortunately, are dealing with some challenges,” said Capitals Goalie Charlie Lindgren. “And just for us to come out here and see that they’re just soaking this up and having so much fun. Again, this is the smallest thing we can do.”
The Capitals are already looking forward to hosting next year’s event.
You can now bid on one of the autographed special jerseys worn by the players during the skate program in an online auction by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.
Proceeds benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Mid-Atlantic Region, Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. The auction ends at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22.
