ARLINGTON, VA - The Washington Capitals announced today initiatives surrounding Hockey Fights Cancer Month and the Capitals’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by Leidos, taking place on Thursday, Nov. 21 versus the Colorado Avalanche. Click here to purchase tickets.
Hockey Fights Cancer, a joint initiative of the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA), aims to: fundraise for cancer research; create meaningful touchpoints all year long with our communities through tentpole events and storytelling; and educate and empower more fans to learn about cancer risk factors, as well as take action to get screened for certain cancers as appropriate.
Highlights of the Capitals’ Hockey Fights Cancer Month include:
Hockey Fights Cancer Skate
Capitals players will host a Hockey Fights Cancer skate featuring the entire team on Nov. 11 to kick off Hockey Fights Cancer month. Players will skate with children, survivors and families from The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Mid-Atlantic Region, Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, MedStar Health, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and Horizon Day Camp – Metro DC. Following practice, players will be greeted in the locker room by the children who are currently battling cancer or in remission. The children and families will then join players on the ice for a skating session.
#CapsFightCancer Starting Lineup
Six children who are currently battling cancer or who are in remission will be announced as members of the team’s starting lineup during the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Thursday, Nov. 21, versus the Colorado Avalanche. The children are affiliated with local nonprofits dedicated to health and wellness.
Each participant will be matched with the Capitals starting six players and introduced individually with their headshot on the jumbotron in honor of their fight against cancer.
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic Wish
The Capitals will grant the wish of a 16-year-old Capitals fan Nov. 20-21. In order to keep elements of the wish as a surprise to the recipient, additional details will be announced at a later date.
MSE Foundation Auction
Capitals players will participate in the Hockey Fights Cancer skate on Nov. 11 as well as arrive to the Nov. 21 Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer game wearing Hockey Fights Cancer themed jerseys. The jerseys will be auctioned off in a Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer auction. In addition to the autographed jerseys, the auction will also feature signed Hockey Fights Cancer pucks.
The auction will open for bidding at noon on Monday, Nov. 11 at washcaps.com/hfcauction.
Proceeds benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Mid-Atlantic Region, Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and MSE Foundation.
The auction will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22.
In-Game Integrations
Hockey Fights Cancer-related content will be highlighted throughout the Nov. 21 game. Names of fans’ loved ones who have fought cancer will be featured in on-ice projections. Lavender, the signature color of Hockey Fights Cancer, will also be featured on all digital boards throughout the arena.
Check Presentation
During the game Leidos will present Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation with a $40,000 check, with the funds designated for the Capitals Hockey Fights Cancer beneficiaries.
All Fan Giveaway
All fans in attendance on Nov. 21 will receive a “I Fight For” Hockey Fights Cancer T-shirt courtesy of Leidos, where fans will be able to write the name of the loved one they are fighting for on the shirt.
Hockey Fights Cancer Block Party
Fans are invited to District E for a Hockey Fights Cancer Block Party on Nov. 21 from 5-7 p.m., featuring the band Steal the Sky as well as food and drink specials.
50/50 Raffle
Proceeds from the Nov. 21 Hockey Fights Cancer Night 50/50 Raffle will benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Fans can participate in MSE Foundation’s 50/50 raffle by purchasing tickets online or in-arena at 50/50 raffle kiosks at Sections 106 and 120 or from roving sellers. The raffle will support V Foundation-funded cancer research projects at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
Tickets will be sold in the following increments: 10 tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, 100 tickets for $40 and 300 tickets for $100. CLICK HERE for more information and visitMonumental5050.com to purchase tickets online.
HFC Assist
In addition, through the HFC Assist initiative, the NHL, NHLPA, Capitals and American Cancer Society invite youth hockey players and teams to join their favorite Players and NHL Teams in the fight against cancer. Youth teams and local leagues across the DMV can register to host their own Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night and fundraise through tools such as stick tape, helmet decals and other levels of participation.
For more info, and to register your team, visit capsyouthhockey.com/HFCassist.
October Saves
In October, Capitals goaltenders Charlie Lindgren and Logan Thompson participated in the October Saves Goalie Challenge in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The challenge, founded in 2014 by the Ashburn, Va., Xtreme Hockey Club, encourages goaltenders throughout the country at any age and skill level to pledge money for each save they make during the month of October, with proceeds benefitting charity. In November, Lindgren and Thompson will meet with the top 10 local youth goalies who participated in fundraising for October Saves.
Last season, the October Saves Goalie Challenge saw youth hockey goalies from across Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland collectively raise nearly $206,400 in October. Their fundraising contributed to a record-breaking $675,784 raised across the entire October Saves platform.
Sweat For Breath
The Capitals are proud to support the Skate\]ForBreath charity hockey game at Capital One Arena on Nov. 7. [Click here to purchase tickets.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. All event proceeds will benefit the Sweat For Breath Foundation, which aims to extend and improve the lives of people with ALK-positive lung cancer by raising funds for cutting-edge research and patient support programs and promoting awareness. Sweat For Breath Foundation was founded by David and Lisa Cornbrooksafter David was diagnosed with Stage IV ALK-positive lung cancer at 38. He is a former DI athlete, father of two young children, and a never-smoker, and a life-long Caps fan.
Retail
Visit the Team Store at Capital One Arena and Team Store at MedStar Capitals Iceplex for Hockey Fights Cancer related gear.
Digital
Fans are encouraged to use the #CapsFightCancer hashtag on social media and visit the Hockey Fights Cancer microsite at washcaps.com/CapsFightCancer. All month long, the Capitals will be sharing social media features on individuals who have been impacted by cancer.
