A Homecoming Christmas Miracle

Random Acts in the W is a community-focused campaign developed to give back to Caps fans surrounding the everyday moments in which individuals may need their spirits lifted or efforts recognized.
Capitals fans Henry and Will Gotowka made a list, and they checked it twice, but they weren't sure if Santa would be able to bring them their most desired gift - dad to come home for Christmas. (Spoiler alert: Santa came through)

Henry and Will's dad, Brendan Gotowka, is a Commander in the United States Navy and has been in the service since 2003 when he was commissioned from the United States Naval Academy.
Beginning in 2012, he accepted a Navy Reserve commission and has conducted several Reserve tours of duty since, his latest in Bahrain starting in March of 2022.
Gotowka's return date from deployment had changed back and forth a few times around the holidays, until it was finally settled to be December 23rd.
This date just so happened to be the same night Henry and Will would be playing with the Mites on Ice during intermission at the Capitals vs Jets game.
The boys had been asking Santa all December long for their dad to come home, and it appeared their wish would come true.
When the Capitals expressed interest in helping coordinate the surprise at the game, Brendan said "we immediately knew this was an amazing opportunity for all those themes to collide into an awesome event that has made lasting memories for our family".
Brendan's wife Emily, along with their son's hockey coach and the Capitals worked together to create a plan for Brendan to surprise the boys immediately following Mites on Ice.
The plan concocted was that Henry and Will would be awarded the "Mites of the Night" and participate in the post-mites interview on the bench and then Brendan would surprise them right there on-camera for the entire arena to witness.
"They were so excited to participate in Mites on Ice that they were counting down the days on our home calendar," said Emily. "Little did they know that wasn't the only surprise that night."
The plan went off without a hitch!
Henry and Will were speechless when their dad appeared behind them, and immediately embraced in a long-lasting group hug.

Not a dry eye was in sight.
"This was one of the most special nights, not because I was mite of the night but because my dad came home," said Will afterwards.
One of the first questions the boys had was how soon their dad would have to leave them again, and thankfully Brendan was able to tell them he would be home for a long time.
The family was also presented with a team-signed 'W' jersey to help mark the special occasion.

Brendan had taken the boys to their very first Capitals game last March just before he was deployed so to bookend his return with another Caps game brought it all full circle.
"The homecoming was beyond our wildest dreams," said Brendan. "This is a very special memory that we will cherish forever."