The Capitals continue to spread joy and the experience and aura of the Stanley Cup.
Friday, it was a three-stop tour featuring Alex Ovechkin, Ted Leonsis and that magical trophy that the "Great 8" can't seem to put down.
Team officials organized visits to the Arlington County Police Department where Leonsis and Ovechkin took pictures with all employees of the department in a crowded room, both uniformed and civilian.
.@ovi8 carrying the @StanleyCup out of @ArlingtonVAPD & taking pictures with officers & staff, along with @TedLeonsis. #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup #Caps #NHL pic.twitter.com/x1yhjoxKK5
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 15, 2018From Arlington, it was onto the District and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where hundreds of children and adults greeted Ovechkin as he carried Lord Stanley in from a remarkably plain, white van that transported the Stanley Cup strapped in the front seat.
.@ovi8 carrying the @StanleyCup into @MedStarGUH for the 2nd stop on our #StanleyCup tour. #ALLCAPS #NHL #Caps pic.twitter.com/Ot4rhNrjND
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 15, 2018Leonsis and Ovechkin first greeted children in the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology wing before meeting with a larger group. "We want to bring the Cup to them and we always remember them," Ovechkin told reporters after the three-stop tour wrapped up when asked about visiting the sick children.
A packed house to see @ovi8 & the @StanleyCup at @MedStarGUH #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup #Caps pic.twitter.com/HSZBZLZLen
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 15, 2018The Caps as a team have made several visits over the years to the hospital to provide inspiration to the patients and Leonsis is a proud alum of Georgetown.
The last stop of the day was to the Fort Dupont Ice Arena in Southeast Washington, D.C., home of the only full-size indoor ice arena in the nation's capital (besides Capital One Arena) and the home of the Fort Dupont Cannons, which is the oldest minority youth hockey program in North America.
"I'm hoping we can grab a whole next generation of hockey players and hockey fans," Leonsis remarked outside of the arena in Southeast. "We call it the Ovechkin effect. We love coming to Fort Dupont. All the young kids here, so in awe to meet Alex and hold the Cup. It's heartwarming. It's what we envisioned. It wasn't just winning a Stanley Cup.
The @StanleyCup, @TedLeonsis & @ovi8 completing the final stop on our tour today at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. #Caps #StanleyCup #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/19ejckImVD
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 15, 2018It's bringing the community closer together and making lifelong memories and that's why I'm so proud about Alex and all the team. They understand there's a higher calling here than winning a Stanley Cup. I think we've done that once and I'm hoping we really love how that feels and let's try to do that again next year," the Capitals owner proudly beamed.
More pictures from the @StanleyCup @ovi8 @TedLeonsis tour at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. .#ALLCAPS #StanleyCup #Caps pic.twitter.com/Z6GzGuuFIQ
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 15, 2018In all three locations, there was a buzz and an anticipation of yes, Ovechkin, a star making a visit and that was special by itself. However, the Stanley Cup is what is making this dream epic.
"Yeah it's great, I think this Cup has lots of energy," Ovechkin said. "I tell everybody to touch it because it's history. Everybody want to be a part of it and we want to share with all of our community."
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