Capitals, Dreams for Kids DC create lasting memories

ARLINGTON, Va. --The Washington Capitals kicked off their slate of
Hockey is for Everyone
month activities with a Dreams for Kids DC hockey clinic for children with physical and developmental disabilities on Tuesday.
Capitals forward Jay Beagle and defensemen Brooks Orpik, Matt Niskanen and Taylor Chorney, along with four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter, took the ice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex with Dreams for Kids DC volunteers and more than 100 children.

"It's important for us to be involved in the community and give back, donate some time," Niskanen said. "And it's a good opportunity for everyone to give hockey a try. I think that's a special thing that the NHL does a pretty good job of doing and promoting, trying to get more people involved."
This was the Capitals' eighth year hosting the clinic. Some children skated on their own. Others needed assistance from a volunteer or were pushed around in sleds.
"A lot of these kids probably thought they could never ice skate or even sled along the ice," Dreams for Kids DC executive director Glenda Fu said.
"Even for our paraplegics, for them to have a volunteer or a Caps player pushing them across the ice, helping them score a goal, it's pretty incredible to see."

Pier Penic said her son, Kai, 23, looks forward to Dreams for Kids DC events such as this one because they give him the opportunity to interact with others.
"He enjoys being around people," Pier Penic said. "He enjoys going out. He enjoys being around his peers. He enjoys being counted. I love Dreams for Kids because it gives my son a sense of belonging. This is the one thing he looks forward to all month."
In addition to sharing some hockey tips, the players signed autographs, posed for pictures and gave out a bunch of hugs. It was the second time on the ice for 7-year-old Kierce Thompson, who gave Beagle a big hug.
"I like skating," Thompson said before taking off. "Watch me."
"It's awesome just to have everyone involved," Beagle said. "Any time I get to skate with the kids it's always a blast just to have fun with them. We do a bunch of events like this, so it's important."
The Scarlet Caps fan club for women will host a Hockey 'n Heels instructional clinic for female fans Tuesday. Capitals forwards Chandler Stephenson and Jakub Vrana, defensemen Madison Bowey and Christian Djoos and goaltender Philipp Grubauer are scheduled to participate along with Potter, who now coaches Slovakia's national women's team.
"There's one aspect, you get to see the NHL stars out on the ice and watch a game that people have a ton of skill," Potter said. "But then they get an opportunity to come down and actually try to do some things they see on TV. I think that's a cool experience if they can kind of relate on a different level."