WASHINGTON — Outside the Capital One Arena, a street hockey game between teams of some special hockey players got a surprise from a Washington Capitals superstar.
The Caps’ Alex Ovechkin left practice early ahead of the team’s game Friday against the St. Louis Blues to join the players for a few games on the asphalt.
The players all suffer from developmental disabilities, but that doesn’t keep them from the game they love.
Ovechkin said he enjoyed his time playing on the street and has gotten to know many of the players well during his frequent visits to their practices over the last four years. During the matches Friday on F Street, the Caps star said the players didn’t dial down the intensity for him.
“They lowered me; a couple guys tried to hit me a couple times. I had fun as well,” Ovechkin said.
Jennifer O’Brien, is with the American Special Hockey Association, said these special events help players build self-esteem and confidence.
“There are no boundaries; there are no diagnoses that cause a challenge or restriction. Here every player is a star,” O’Brien said.
As parents watched and cheered their kids on from the sidelines, Ovechkin played and gave pointers to the players.
“He taught me a few moves, including how to slap the stick backward,” said Thomas Wiese, 22, a player on the NOVA Cool Cats team.
Wiese’s mother, Kari Wiese, says the players look forward to working with NHL players such Ovechkin.
“They really glow; they love it,” she said.
Randy Brawley, the Cool Cats coach, said such events help him teach the players about being a team. Brawley also believes the lessons learned while playing will help the players off the ice as well.
“They interact with other kids better; we’ve also heard the kids do better in school,” Brawley said.
Before the day was done, the players all got Washington Capitals gear and tickets to the game against the Blues. The team also donated $5,000 to the American Special Hockey Association.
