The Capitals announced before the game, a 2-1 Washington victory, that proceeds from the drawing would go to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, which is directing recovery efforts after the shooting that killed 11 people and injured seven. A total of $38,570 in tickets were sold Wednesday, the most this season.
The winner was entitled to $19,285 but waived his right to the prize. So all $38,570 will go to the Jewish Federation.
"It was a small gesture to stand up for the folks in Pittsburgh and showing that things are a lot stronger than hate," the season ticket holder said.
In his ninth season as a season ticket holder, he asked that his name not be revealed because he didn't want to draw attention away from the cause.
"It's not about me," he said. "It's about helping other people."
The raffle winner says he usually buys $20 worth of tickets for the 50/50, which is sponsored by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation. He said he won the drawing two seasons ago and kept the money that time.
"It was a lot less," he said. "It like $4,900, which was obviously really nice and really cool, but at the time it wasn't attached to any specific charity or event. So I considered myself lucky and cashed the check and went on our way."
After seeing the 50/50 proceeds on Wednesday would help those impacted by the shooting in Pittsburgh, the winner's 17-year-old son asked if he could buy some tickets. But the minimum age to purchase 50/50 tickets is 18.
"Because he wanted to contribute too. I said, 'Don't worry about it. We'll get some extra tickets tonight,'" the season ticket holder said.
Tickets for the 50/50 are sold for in groups of three for $5, 10 for $10 and 60 for $20. Together with his son, the season ticket holder spent $100, which got them 300 tickets.
"When the shooting happened, it was a natural opportunity with a teenage son to kind of talk
through the issue and just kind of talk about why this guy did what he did and the fact that there's hate in the world for no reason," the season ticket holder said. "He hated them because of where they worshiped and who they were helping, which was folks who were born somewhere else."
The winning 50/50 number was announced during the third period, but he didn't check his tickets until after the game. When he saw he had the winning ticket, he already knew he was going to waive his right to the money.
"As I was buying the tickets, I was actually thinking, 'How sweet would it be if I won and just gave the money back?' he said. "And I actually texted my wife, and just said, 'If I win this thing -- ha, ha, ha -- we should give the money back and she was immediately on board."
In addition to the lesson he wanted to share with his son, the season ticket holder hopes his generosity inspires others to help in their own communities.
"It doesn't have to be $19,000," he said. "That's a check I never could have written myself. But every little bit helps. And next time they're at a Capitals game, buy a $20 ticket. You're helping a good cause and the Capitals are very, very active in the community."
The winner wasn't surprised that the 50/50 drawing on Wednesday generated the biggest jackpot of the season. The rivalry between the Capitals and Penguins can be heated at times between the teams and their fans, but none of that matters when it comes to helping others.
"That's the great thing about hockey," he said. "You can fight all day on the ice and go have a drink afterwards with your buddy. …I think at the end of the day we're all able to put that stuff aside in the face of something like this and come together and help each other."
