Capitals to hold Black History Night

February is Black History Month and for the final Washington Capitals home game this month, the team will hold Black History Night presented by Capital One on Monday Feb. 28. The Caps invited alum Bill Riley and his granddaughter Kryshanda Green, who’s a former and first Black Captain of the Ryerson University Rams to participate in a ceremonial puck drop.

The evening will honor the Capitals orgianization’s history, celebrate Black achievement in hockey and highlight how the Caps are working to further grow the game across the DMV. Several elements will also honor the Washington, D.C. based Fort Dupont Cannons, who are the oldest minority hockey program in North America.

Riley made his NHL debut with the Capitals in 1974, becoming the first Black Nova Scotian to play in the NHL and the third African American player to play in the league. Riley recorded 28 goals and 28 assists in 125 games with the Capitals.

Green, in addition to being named the first Black captain of Ryerson University, broke the all time points and assists records. She graduated from Ryerson with a B.A. in politics and gornance and currently serves on the NHL’s Youth Hockey Inclusion Council.

For the second year in a row, the Caps will be wearing special edition warmup jerseys for Black History Night. This year’s model includes a Fort Dupont Ice Hockey shoulder patch in honor of the Fort Dupont Cannons. Jerseys will be signed and auctioned off along with signed pucks commemorating Black History Month and other items to benefit the Capital Impact Fund. The action is hosted by Monumental Sports and Entertainment and you can bid now at WashCaps.com/BHM-Auction until March 2nd at 3 p.m. eastern.

The Fort Dupont Cannons is part of the National Hockey League’s Hockey is for Everyone Program and is the oldest minority hockey program in North America. Founded in 1978 by Coach Neal Henderson, the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club is a developmental program that provides local and inner city youth with the opportunity to participate in an organized ice hockey program. The Cannons play at Fort Dupont Ice Arena in Southeast D.C.

If you’re attending the game be sure to check out the Capitals Black Hockey History Display which was unveiled earlier this month. It’s a permanent display located at section 116 on the main concourse.

The exhibit features memorabilia such as a 1975-76 home jersey worn by Mike Marson (1974-79), a game used stick by Joel Ward (2011-15) and a game worn helmet by Devante Smith-Pelly (2017-19). It also includes a timeline of Black players and key moments in Capitals history and much more.

Once again, Black History Night will happen this Monday night at 7 p.m. when the Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs.