Skip to main content

Capitals to host Black History Night on Feb. 28

By Bijan Todd

Capitals to host Black History Night on Feb. 28 originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington   The Washington Capitals are set to host Black History Night on Monday, Feb. 28 against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena, the team announced Tuesday. “The evening will honor the organization’s history, celebrate Black achievement in hockey and highlight how the Capitals are working to further grow the game in the region,” read a team press release.

Bill Riley, a Capitals alum and the third Black player to ever appear in the NHL, will drop a ceremonial puck prior to game time along with his granddaughter, Kryshanda Green. Riley recorded 28 goals and 28 assists in 125 career games with Washington. The Caps will also don special warmup jerseys before their game against the Maple Leafs. The black warmup jerseys will include a Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club shoulder patch in honor of the Fort Dupont Cannons, the oldest minority hockey program in North America founded in 1978. Capitals players will sign the jerseys and other items to be auctioned off with funds benefitting the Capitals Impact Fund. Players will also wear decals on their helmets with the likeness of Neal Henderson, the Cannons’ founder and the first Black person to be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Henderson’s developmental program based out of Washington’s Fort Dupont Ice Arena, located in Southeast D.C., provides local and inner-city youth with the chance to participate in the sport. Capital One Arena itself will also be involved with the event. Fans are encouraged to visit the Capitals Black Hockey History Display, which was unveiled in February in Section 116 of the arena. The display includes memorabilia, warmup jerseys, timelines and information regarding the impact of the Black community on the game.

All about Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info

By NBC Sports Washington Staff
All about Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonEver since making his NHL debut in 2005, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has proven to be the greatest goalscorer the sport has ever seen.The 2004 No. 1 overall pick scored two goals in his first career game and hasn't stopped finding the back of the net at record pace, putting him within reach of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals mark. Ovechkin has compiled an impressive trophy case along the way, winning three Hart Memorial Trophy MVPs, a record nine Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies as the NHL's leading goal scorer, nine NHL First-Team selections, 12 all-star selections, the 2018-19 Stanley Cup title and the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of that year's playoffs.He is undoubtedly one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Alex Ovechkin's BioHeight: 6-foot-3Weight: 238 poundsBirthdate: Sept. 17, 1985 Birthplace: Moscow, RussiaNHL experience: 17 seasonsJersey No. 8Alex Ovechkin's Career StatsAfter showing no signs of slowing down with a 50-goal season in Year 17, Ovechkin has continued to put up mind-boggling stats deep into his 30s. Here are his complete career numbers to date (through Oct 11, 2022): 1,274 games played780 goals scored630 assists1,410 pointsStanley Cup Playoffs:141 games71 goals64 assists135 pointsAlex Ovechkin's Contract DetailsIt was always a matter of "when" and not "if" Alex Ovechkin would sign a contract extension with the Capitals this past offseason. The five-year, $47.5 million deal he signed at the end of July 2021 showed his desire to finish his career in the nation's capital with an eye towards breaking the all-time goals record as well. Ovechkin's deal ends following the 2025-26 season. Where does Alex Ovechkin rank on the all-time goals list? Ovechkin finished his 17th NHL season with a clean 50 goals, bringing his career total to 780. Here's where that ever-growing mark ranks on the all-time goals leaderboard: Wayne Gretzky: 894Gordie Howe: 801Alex Ovechkin: 780Jaromir Jagr: 766Brett Hull: 741Other Alex Ovechkin RecordsMuch has been made about Ovechkin's all-time goals chase, but he's also accumulated some other pretty impressive records along the way as well. Most recently, Ovi broke the all-time power play goals mark with his 275th score on New Year's Eve against the Red Wings. By a second, he narrowly beat the release of Detroit's man in the penalty box to secure the record. Here are some of the Great 8's other all-time NHL records: Most scoring titles: nineMost overtime goals: 24Most consecutive 30-goal seasons: 15 (tied with Jaromir Jagr and Mike Gartner)
Read Next Story

Related News

All about Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info

Three big questions facing the Capitals this offseason

Tom Wilson undergoes successful knee surgery; will miss 6-8 months with torn ACL