Over 800 kids attend Friday’s practice to see Alex Ovechkin

Virginia fourth and fifth graders from Arlington County had the field trip of a lifetime, attending a Washington Capitals practice and seeing Alex Ovechkin up close and in person.

They were chanting “Let’s go Caps!” and “Ovi! Ovi!” and the players, especially Ovechkin, heard them loud and clear.

Ovechkin told reporters:

“I knew it was going to be loud, but not that loud. I think that’s probably the loudest practice since we made the (2018) Stanley Cup Final. It was fun.”

The 800 plus students were from five public elementary schools in Arlington. They were invited in honor of Ovechkin scoring his 800th career goal and passing Gordie Howe for second in league history with his 802nd.

Ovechkin continues to give back to the community and soon he will donate to the American Special Hockey Association to pay for the ice time of 100 special hockey teams across the country. He will also remain active with Make a Wish.

Later this season Ovechkin will make surprise visits to local rinks and the Caps will also install “Ovi’s Office” logos in the left face off circle.

Ovechkin added:

“I think the organization and all this 800 [celebration], it’s come out great. The kids, people get involved. They get to start to love more hockey and you never know. Maybe one of the kids is going to be excited to play hockey, and we’ll see.”

Ovechkin is now up to 809 goals with 29 this season as the Capitals host the Philadelphia Flyers tonight for the fourth and final time this season and the last time we’ll see Ovechkin in the Screaming Eagle black Reverse Retro jersey.

Ovechkin has been active in the community throughout his 18 year career especially when it involves the kids. Those fourth and fifth graders got the field trip of a lifetime. Who knows, maybe someone got inspired to play hockey.