We are hearing more and more stories about the way the national and local hockey communities are stepping up in this era of crisis. Players are posting encouraging messages. Team owners are paying arena personnel. Companies are shifting priorities.
What personal stories about hockey family can you share with us!!
Monumental Sports and Entertainment (owners of the Washington Capitals) has extended payment to Capital One Arena part-time workers who were scheduled to work postponed games and events through April 2020. This will include all Capitals, Wizards, and concerts set for April and they will also be paid when, and if, those events occur later in the summer. Not all teams have been as generous as Ted Leonsis and we appreciate that he is stepping up to take care of those friends we see at every game. You know the ones who stop people from walking down in the middle of a play or that remove unruly visiting fans.

Fanatics, the producers of most of the Capitals and NHL merchandise that we spend $100s to $1,000 on has shifted their MLB production line priorities. They announced this week that they will be using the polyester mesh fabric from MLB jerseys to make masks and gowns for hospitals. Fanatics owner, Michael Rubin, said: “We’re fortunate to have this giant factory in Pennsylvania that makes all these baseball jerseys, and to have the commissioner of baseball behind us, and to have the governor and attorney general saying, ‘How do we make a difference?’ Time will tell if that will include suspension of NHL merchandise too.
Bauer Hockey is also making changes to provide medical face shields to those working on the front lines fighting this virus:
Protection that allows athletes to give everything for their team is our heritage.
— BAUER Hockey (@BauerHockey) March 25, 2020
Right now, we're all on the same team. We're repurposing our facilities to make face shields so that medical professionals battling COVID-19 can safely continue to help those most vulnerable. pic.twitter.com/pBiZuUWdVl
Fort DuPont Ice Arena is still helping local families. They are an organization supported by the Washington Capitals and the Caps Fan Club. They do good things and if you are looking for a place to make a donation, we would suggest you consider them:
FDIA is here to help. Please read this important message from our Executive Director, Ty Newberry. pic.twitter.com/w0bh3yaJzP
— Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena (@FriendsofFDIA) March 23, 2020
The Capitals shared a bit of inspiration from their captain, Alex Ovechkin. Players, their wives, and kids are keeping us entertained with Instagram stories. Be sure to check them out.
Alex participated in a rather hilarious interview and in the end he said what really matters for all of us:
"The most important thing is take care of yourself, take care of your family, friends. Help each other just to be safe because right now is hard time. Try to help if somebody needs the help. Right now we are together and we have to fight through it together." – @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/U6H92k4dLR
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 27, 2020
Nick Backstrom shared some sweet moments at home:
A message from @backstrom19 for the #ALLCAPS family: pic.twitter.com/n3id5a1sEh
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 18, 2020
Tom Wilson brought new pup Halle to his video message:
A message to our Caps family from @tom_wilso and Halle: pic.twitter.com/pxsrKMdsSM
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 16, 2020
Be sure to follow Caps Pup on Twitter and Instagram. What can be better than this cute guy??
practicing my distance obedience !! @AmericasVetDogs pic.twitter.com/ioNO7y8Yqz
— Captain (@CapsPup) March 20, 2020
You may be familiar with Homeward Trails as sponsors of the Caps calendar each year. They are still helping pups and could use your help too:
We’re in urgent need of wire crates (used ok), dry food and martingale collars for foster dogs. Drop off donations at our adoption center in Fairfax Station, VA, make a financial contribution at: https://t.co/U5NAY0ie5m or shop our Amazon Wishlist: https://t.co/CNXfTUVXIl thanks! pic.twitter.com/zsMrpxOD0h
— Homeward Trails (@HomewardTrails) March 26, 2020
We have long loved the work of Ellie’s Hats who provide a bit of joy for kids in the midst of medical treatments. Please consider helping them to help vulnerable children in our community.
Every month we donate 5 $1,000 checks to the PSV Clinic in Falls Church. This month along with the checks we would like to give the social workers gift cards. Our goal is to get $500 worth of gift cards. Use this link if you would like to donate. https://t.co/JhTr6LXgGK pic.twitter.com/0rl8a0yQdc
— Ellie's Hats (@ElliesHats) March 24, 2020
Our friends at Compass Coffee have fallen on tough times during the crisis and had to let go of a number of employees. And yet they continue to help the community as part of the effort in DC to provide hand sanitizers. Visit them in Ballston while they remain open for grab and go.
The stories will keep coming. The outreach from those who can help will hopefully also continue. We would love to share your “feel good” story too. And as we said in our article yesterday- let’s pull together as the Caps and hockey community to carry each other through. We can do this!!