Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) announced on Friday that although they entered a new partnership with MedStar which resulted in a name change to Kettler Capitals IcePlex (KCI) – they are still working with their old friends, developers KETTLER. KCI is now known as MedStar Capitals IcePlex and expands on a long-standing relationship they have with Monumental.
KETTLER will now fill a gap in Capital One Arena with the naming of the club 200 level to KETTLER Loft. Capital One has already begun a huge renovation project which improves the PWC Club on the second level as well as replacing seats and boosts the overall fan experience.
What will this mean to you the Caps fan come October? Probably not much more than a few more signs upstairs. This is more of a Friends-helping-Friends financial management deal that is good for both sides.
From the press release:
Other elements to the agreement include brand integration during Washington Capitals and Wizards games as well as an integrative radio partnership, digital billboard advertising opportunities, and exciting experiential opportunities for KETTLER partners and apartment residents.
The move will enable KETTLER to reach a broad demographic of people who attend Capitals hockey games, Wizards and Mystics basketball games, and arena football games with the Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade, along with all other concerts, sports and entertainment events at the arena. The main escalators in the arena at the second-level loft, for example, will carry KETTLER branding and its familiar tagline: “Inspiration. From the Ground Up.”
Monumental Sports announced a new partnership with MedStar that also means a new name for Kettler Capitals IcePlex (KCI). Welcome in the new MedStar Capitals IcePlex – already affectionately named MCI by long-time Caps friends. The name change may take a while to get used to saying. Last August, Verizon Center was renamed Capital One Arena after a new partnership was forged with Capital One. A year later, many of us still refer to it as the Verizon Center…or the old MCI Center.
Here is part of the official announcement outlining the partnership:
MedStar Health and Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) announced an expanded, innovative and fully-integrated medical partnership that will make MedStar the naming rights partner for the 2018 Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals, Capital City Go-Go, Washington Mystics, Washington Wizards, and Washington Wizards District Gaming (DG) training facilities. Specifically, the Capitals training facility will immediately become MedStar Capitals Iceplex. The new practice facility, opening this fall at the St. Elizabeths campus in southeast Washington, D.C., for the Wizards, Mystics and Go-Go, will be named MedStar Wizards Performance Center. The Wizards District Gaming training facility immediately becomes the MedStar Wizards District Gaming Studio.
The new partnership will ensure that training facilities have the most current and safe practices in place for all the players. The Capitals training staff already provides excellent care for the team and this just adds another layer of protection for the health and well-being of players. The complete press release is available here.
MedStar Capitals Iceplex had a bit of an uplift this summer on the Caps rink. The Capitals’ ice now includes the team logo. The new MedStar name isn’t up yet, but we can expect to see that in place before the start of training camp in September and the new season in October.
Well, Saturday was a blast even though it was hot. That morning I awoke to the ding of my Facebook account and messages from my friends asking if I was coming to the Caps Fan Fest. Of which of course I was. I have never missed a fan fest event. Continue reading “Happy Caps Fan”
Many of you arrived really early to get in line for a chance to have your photo taken with the Stanley Cup. Some folks arrived before the sun was up- ok some of you got there the night before!
Stanley Cup Viewing
The lines for the Cup viewing and photo op wrapped down through the garage at Kettler. Last we looked, the lines were down to the third level. Unfortunately, the Capitals were unable to accommodate everyone who showed up, leaving plenty of fans disappointed. The line was cut off at 3, two hours later then planned and fans were given until 4 to make it through rather then the original 2 pm close. Of you arrived after 9, chances are you didn’t have a chance to take a photo.
Our gal Velvet Jackson didn’t wait in line – but she took a sneak photo for us!
It was HOT HOT HOT out there waiting in 90 plus degree weather with no shade on the roof top. The lines just seemed to go on and on and on. (Swipe for all the photos)
Security had their hands full, trying to keep the incoming cars from running people over and getting folks where they needed to be. They managed to do it with the same good cheer we saw at the Stanley Cup Parade.
Fans had some troubles in the terrible heat and long wait. There was free water available early on; however, it was only at the top of the line. Lots of folks were pretty exhausted and dehydrated by the time the made it through the garage and into Kettler. Some had to leave the line because they felt faint. We think Kettler didn’t fully anticipate the huge number of fans that were coming!!
There were numerous complaints on Twitter about the lack of information or the wrong information that was provided by the staff brought in to work the event. Additionally, some fans who were in the late afternoon crowd were forced to take group photos with people they didn’t know– other than having spent several hours standing with them in line. In the end, the Capitals issued tickets to people who stayed in line but were unable to have their photo taken. Many of you did not get a ticket, but we suggest you click this link and fill out the information. From the Caps:
Thank you for attending this year’s Capitals Fan Fest. We appreciate your patience as we moved through as many fans as possible to take a picture with the Stanley Cup. If you were in line and did not receive a photo please fill out the below and we will communicate future Stanley Cup photo opportunities to you. If you received a green or red ticket please be sure to reference the number.
Many of your were among the fortunate to have your photo taken. The Caps were overwhelmed uploading the photos and we have heard they are working as quickly as they can to load them. The link for photos can be found here.
Equipment Sale
And there was used equipment to be had. The lines for the equipment sale were so short that people were able to walk right in. There wasn’t much left following the development camp scrimmage, but some folks did walk out with hockey sticks with player names like Orpik, Chiasson, and Kempny.
Ice Skating
Also part of the day was the the $5 ice skating. We saw many families lacing up and jumping on the ice. A great way to cool down!
Outside there were few activists compared to previous years. Most likely because the Stanley Cup line took up half the deck!
The FiCP team was everywhere and we will have more personal stories about the day. Oh and check out our piece on the Development Camp scrimmage. For now, we share this photo of our Man Dan (Daniel Johnson) and his brother. Two who made it through the lines to the prize of the day.
Photos by Brittney Marcum
Contribution photos from Daniel Johnson and Velvet Jackson
We have finally gotten over the surprise resignation of Coach Barry Trotz and we are excited about the next phase in Caps history with newly named coach Todd Reirden. The Capitals announced on Friday afternoon that they have inked a new contract with Reirden to promote him to head coach.
The draft is over and the Capitals added a few new players, who we will get to see this week! Trades and contract discussions continue with players. The important dates to remember are listed below. The players in this categories, as of 6/24 include:
June 24 at 12:01 am, Unrestricted Free Agents (UFA) can start talks with other teams.
June 25 at 5 pm, qualifying offers need to be made to Restricted Free Agents (RFA)
Development Camp to take place at Kettler Capitals Iceplex from June 26 through June 30. You will have a chance to see the newest drafts and others who are hoping to learn from the coaches and maybe get an invite back for the franchise.
The Alumni Summer Classic game starts at 6:30 p.m. on June 26 on the Caps Rink– the one with the bleachers. It’s free but get there early for a good seat. This is a fan favorite!
The Caps provides the following list of participants: Peter Bondra, Nelson Burton, Frederic Cassivi, Sylvain Cote, John Druce, Chris Ferraro, Peter Ferraro, Alan Hangsleben, Bryan Helmer, Matt Herr, Brent Johnson, Dmitri Khristich, Olie Kolzig, Mike Knuble, Yvon Labre, Craig Laughlin, Alan May, Kelly Miller, Paul Mulvey, Dave Parro, Pat Peake, Matt Pettinger, Errol Rausse and Ken Sabourin.
June 26 at noon, discussions can begin with RFAs that did not receive qualifying offers
The Stanley Cup visits Kettler and fans will have a chance for a posed photo (no selfies or personal photos permitted) “from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. line closes at 115.”
The Capitals provides the following parking info:
Parking will be first come first serve at the Ballston Common Parking Garage – minimal fees apply. Additional parking options are available in the Ballston area. Kettler Capitals Iceplex is adjacent to the Ballston-MU Metro Station (orange and silver lines).
Have a great week. We will keep you posted with updates and photos.
Thursday night, June 7th, the Washington Capitals became the Stanley Cup Champions and we all pulled out our credit cards to celebrate!
The celebrating began in the bars around the DMV as we paid off our tabs and took to the street. That might have been the first couple hundred for some of us!
And then of course the media reminded us that Dick’s was still open and had our championship hats and shirts. So we hit that on the way home or bright and early on Friday.
And then the real spending began – on-Line shopping at its best. And we outdid ourselves as we became close personal friends with Fanatics! It was soooo easy!
We know of one person who spent so much that he had a personal concierge!! One brave soul admitted to the public that they spent $5,000, so far!
Easily $5000 without breaking a sweat. And that’s just for me.
We at FiCP have spent more than we want to admit. One of us is visiting from out of town with the family so there is that little expense. She won’t actually admit how much she spent haha!! And our Twitter King and his brother were out of the country when the Caps won but that didn’t stop them from shopping online. Their haul came in the day after they got back. They ordered “one of everything.”
And let’s not forget the the Caps are selling off their stadium seats!
As this summer's renovations begin at @CapitalOneArena – sign up today to take home seats from the building's first 20 years!
The icing on the cake? The Washington Times reports that we have once again beat out the Penguins- this time by outspending them!!! Way to go friends!!!
We know there is more shopping to be done as newer merchandise becomes available. And of course RMNB and JapersRink have their own t-shirts which we all love. And our friends at the Caps Road Crew have new shirts all the time. BreakingT has a great selection.
Photos by Brittney Marcum &
Caitlin Manner & Velvet Jackson
While we were all celebrating the Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals a large contingent of men and women made sure we were safe. We want to thank the DC Metropolitan Police, the DC Fire Department, Park Police, and all the first responders that were one hand Tuesday. (Swipe left to see all pictures)
And they kept us happy and entertained too! We had the best officers where we stood. Even got us into a sidewalk chant challenge!!
— FriendsinColdPlaces (@inColdPlacesDC) June 12, 2018
And somehow they were also on towel and poster duty. They were great- making sure that the kids got theirs and tossing waaay back to the folks that were all the way in the rear of the crowd.
These fine men and women put their lives on the line for us every time they suit up. They are always at Capital One Arena (and Arlington Police at Kettler) making sure we get home safely. Tuesday we were all one big Hockey Loving Community and we can’t thank you enough for the gift of your time and service.
There are few things in life that make us (and we know many of you) smile than the looks of Braden Holtby. Today was no exception.
He was looking marvelous today at morning skate. Serene. Tranquil. Zen-like.
Whatever he is doing to keep in the zone and pucks out of his zone is working. Can’t wait to see more of him tonight when he blocks all those shots from the Golden Knights.
But boy did DSP give us a fright this morning when he took a puck to the face off a Burky shot. FiCP were the only ones to catch it on video. Not the video we hope for when we are at practice but here it is:
