"The Capitals" Alexa Skill, available to download
here
, allows fans with an Amazon device (Echo, Echo-Dot and Echo Show) to ask "Alexa" specific questions including schedule, roster and statistical information about the Washington Capitals.
In addition, the Capitals Skill has unique additions for fans including the ability to ask the Capitals to play the team's goal horn or to "Unleash the Fury" - a popular in-game experience from Capital One Arena.
The Capitals also are unveiling a
Flash Briefing
- a popular method of delivering news through short audio messages that update daily. John Walton, radio voice of the Washington Capitals, will provide the updates for the "Capitals Flash Briefing."
Download: Capitals Skill | Capitals Flash Briefing
"We saw at the end of last season that the Capitals were the fourth most searched team in the NHL across Amazon's Alexa cloud service," director of digital media James Heuser said. "To enhance user experience, we thought it would be a great to build out a Skill that would further teach Alexa all about the Capitals. Since our radio network Caps Radio 24/7 is already available on Echo devices through the TuneIn Radio application, we figured a Skill and a Flash Briefing would be the perfect complement for fans listening to our games from their Echo device at home or in the office."
"We always want to engage with our fans wherever they are," added Capitals vice president of marketing Mike Hutchinson. "Our Alexa Skill and Flash Briefing allows us to do so in a unique and exciting way. We look forward to learning more about the Alexa platform, how our fans interact with it and how best to leverage that interaction towards business objectives."
The Capitals teamed up with
, a D.C.-based agency that creates digital and physical experiences for brands, to create the Alexa Skill and Flash Briefing.
The Alexa Skill is the second project the Capitals and ISL have developed together after unveiling the Capitals' Facebook Messenger Bot last season, which was also the first of its kind for a National Hockey League (NHL) franchise.
The
Capitals Facebook Messenger Bot
(CapsBot) returns this season with enhanced statistical and schedule information as well as an opt-in subscription service.
Download: Capitals Skill | Capitals Flash Briefing
Sample Alexa questions include:
"Alexa, open The Capitals."
"Alexa, ask The Capitals how many goals Nicklas Backstrom has?"
"Alexa, tell The Capitals we just scored!"
"Alexa, ask The Capitals when they play next."
"Alexa, ask The Capitals what their record is."
"Alexa, tell The Capitals to Unleash the Fury!"
"Alexa, play Caps Radio 24/7"
