Caps To Host Virtual College Combine & Fair Driven by AAA week of Apr. 27

Arlington, Va. - The Washington Capitals and American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) will host a free Virtual College Combine & Fair driven by AAA for high school hockey student athletes featuring participation by 33 hockey programs across 31 schools the week of April 27. In addition, the Capitals will host a virtual Parent/Guardian Webinar on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m.

33 programs are participating in the Virtual College Fair, including: Adrian College (Women's Program), Boston College (Women's Program), Columbia University (Men's), George Mason University (Men's), Georgetown University (Men's), George Washington university (Men and Women's), Grand Valley State University (Women's), Lindenwood University (Women's), Loyola University - Maryland (Women's), Loyola University - Chicago (Women's), Mercyhurst University (Men's and Women's), Miami University of Ohio (Women's), Northwestern University, Penn State University (Women's), Providence College (Women's), Rider University (Men's), Roger Williams University (Men's), Rowan University (Women's), Sacred Heart University (Men's), Sault College (Women's), Stevenson University (Men's), SUNY Oswego (Women's), The College of New Jersey (Men's), Towson University (Women's), United States Naval Academy (Women's), University of Delaware (Men's), University of Denver (Women's), University of Maryland (Men and Women's), University of Pittsburgh (Men's) and William & Mary (Men's and Women's).

Students-athletes and parents or guardians who wish to participate in the Virtual College Fair or Parent/Guardian Webinar must register to participate by clicking here.

Virtual College Fair

During the week of April 27, student-athletes will be able to call into individual school Zoom calls and speak with coaches and program representatives from 31 schools about the college admissions process, financial aid, student life and the institution's hockey program. The event is intended for rising ninth- through rising twelfth-grade students.

Upon registration, students will receive a digital information packet from the Capitals including admission information about each institution as well as details on the school's hockey program.

Virtual Parent/Guardian Webinar

The Capitals are hosting a Parent and Guardian Information panel featuring information on the college admissions process, financial aid and ice hockey recruiting on Monday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m.

Panelists include American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) executive director Craig Barnett, Northern Virginia Community College financial aid manager Nathanael Arthur-Patel, George Mason University associate director of undergraduate admissions Patrick Money and Washington Capitals hockey ambassador and team USA gold medalist Haley Skarupa. George Mason University hockey head coach and ACHA board member Steve Hyjek will moderate the panel.

"The ACHA is very excited to have many of our member teams participating in this event," said Barnett. "With over 460 ACHA teams within 5 Divisions across 48 states and 2 Canadian provinces, we believe we provide unparalleled opportunities for prospective student-athletes to play competitive college hockey in both traditional and non-traditional hockey markets, including many of the top academic institutions in the world. The growth and success of young men and women being developed in the greater Maryland, Virginia and DC area is an attractive recruiting area for all college hockey programs."

The Virtual College Combine & Fair marks the Capitals latest initiative toward the advancement of hockey in the region, fueled by the Capitals Youth Hockey Development Department, which is dedicated to growing the game of hockey and providing access to the sport across Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. This fall, the Capitals announced the completion of 6 rink refurbishments in the D.C. area. The team also named Skarupa as hockey ambassador, a role that further focuses on the development of youth and female hockey across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. In addition, the Capitals manage a thriving Future Caps Learn to Play program, having introduced 1,200 new participants to the sport of hockey during the 2018-19 season. According to USA Hockey, overall there's been significant growth in youth participation in the D.C. area. Participation in the region has increased over the past five seasons to 22,144 players, coaches and officials. Since Alex Ovechkin was drafted, participation by youth players has increased by 221%. There are approximately 40 ice facilities in the area, with a total of 53 sheets of ice.