Fatima_Bondra

ARLINGTON, Va. - In conjunction with Etihad Airways, the Washington Capitals will host United Arab Emirates native Fatima Al Ali in Washington, D.C., Sunday, Feb. 5, through Friday, Feb. 10.

Capitals alumnus Peter Bondra met 26-year-old Al Ali while in Abu Dhabi to host a youth hockey clinic at the Pavlikovsky Hockey School. After noticing her stickhandling, Bondra and the Capitals
surprised Al Ali with an invitation to Washington
.

Al Ali will attend the Capitals' Wednesday, Feb. 8, 11:30 a.m. practice, where she will join the team on the ice at its conclusion to showcase her stickhandling. On Thursday, Feb. 9, Al Ali will watch warmups from the Capitals bench and participate in a ceremonial puck drop prior to the Capitals game versus the Detroit Red Wings.

In addition to other activities throughout the week, Al Ali will also spend time sightseeing, participate in a Junior Women's Hockey League Washington Pride practice and visit the United Arab Emirates Embassy.

Al Ali's visit coincides with
Hockey is for Everyone Month
(HIFE). HIFE is the official youth development program of the National Hockey League (NHL) and a component of The Biggest Assist Happens off the Ice™, the NHL's social responsibility program that builds on the League's long-standing tradition of addressing important social issues in North America and around the world.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment is committed to bringing American sports clinics to the United Arab Emirates through its partnership with Etihad Airways. Etihad Airways is the exclusive airline partner of the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Mystics (WNBA) and Verizon Center.