Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin made good on a date invitation from one of his biggest fans -- a 10-year-old girl.
Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin poses with his "date," 10-year-old Ann, following the Capitals game versus the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 5. Ann asked Ovechkin on a date during a skate he hosted at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Sept. 11 and Ovechkin surprised her by granting her request during the Capitals' final preseason game. (Courtesy Washington Capitals)
Courtesy Washington Capitals
Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals Washington Capitals captain escorts 10-year old Ann through Verizon Center on Oct. 5. Ovechkin surprised Ann that morning and asked her on a date during the Capitals game against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ovechkin and Ann met on Sept. 11, during an American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) skate with 60 children and adolescents hosted by Ovechkin. During the session, Ann skated to Ovechkin and invited him on a sushi date. (Courtesy Washington Capitals)
Courtesy Washington Capitals
Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and 10-year-old Ann high-five during a sushi date at Verizon Center on Oct. 5. Ovechkin and Ann met on Sept. 11, during an American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) skate with 60 children and adolescents hosted by Ovechkin. During the session, Ann skated to Ovechkin and invited him on a sushi date. (Courtesy Washington Capitals)
Courtesy Washington Capitals
Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin poses with his "date," 10-year-old Ann, following the Capitals game versus the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 5. Ann asked Ovechkin on a date during a skate he hosted at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Sept. 11 and Ovechkin surprised her by granting her request during the Capitals' final preseason game. (Courtesy Washington Capitals)
Courtesy Washington Capitals
Carolina Hurricanes v Washington Capitals Washington Capitals captain high fives 10-year old Ann as forward Nicklas Backstrom signs her jersey. As part of her date with Ovechkin Ann met numerous Capitals players in the locker room, including defenseman Mike Green (center). (Courtesy Washington Capitals)
WASHINGTON — Washington Capitals Captain Alex Ovechkin made good on a date invitation from one of his biggest fans — a 10-year-old girl.
Ann — a 10-year-old from Laurel, Maryland who has Down Syndrome — made the first move at a September American Special Hockey Association skate with 60 children hosted by Ovechkin at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. At the event, she asked the winger if he would go to dinner — specifically a sushi dinner — with her.
On Sunday, the tables turned and Ovechkin surprised Ann with a date.
Ovechkin, with flowers and a signed jersey in tow, met Ann and her parents at Kettler Capital Iceplex — the Capitals’ training facility. Ann received a tour of the Capitals locker room and a ride from Ovi to the Capitals’ game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
When they got to the Verizon Center, Ann watched warm-ups from the bench and sat in “Ovi’s Crazy 8s” section during the game. The Caps went on to defeat the Hurricanes, 5-2 with Ovechkin scoring one of the goals.
Following the game, Ovechkin introduced Ann to other Capitals players and head coach Barry Trotz as his “new girlfriend.” The pair grabbed sushi together at the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Owners Club and chatted about the game.
“I liked how you stopped the shots right away,” Ann said about the game.
Ann recalled her bravery when she skated over and asked Ovechkin out in September.
Sarah Beth Hensley is the Digital News Director at WTOP. She has worked several different roles since she began with WTOP in 2013 and has contributed to award-winning stories and coverage on the website.
