They were there to celebrate Ovechkin passing Gordie Howe for second on the NHL's all-time goals list, and their contagious energy did not go unnoticed by the man of honor.
"I knew it was going to be loud, but not that loud," said Ovechkin. "I think it's probably the loudest practice we've had since we made the Stanley Cup Final."
The students were so loud that Ovechkin said he could hear them during a pre-practice team meeting and while getting dressed in the locker room.
He added, "It was pretty special and wild. To have that many kids at practice, I don't think I've ever seen that."
For Discovery fifth-graders Dillon Parekh and Lukas Grohs, it was their first time watching the Capitals practice up close and personal. It was also their first field trip since the coronavirus pandemic began, so the pair said they had been looking forward to this day for weeks.
Building anticipation leading up to it, their teacher Heather Klanderman created various 802-themed learning activities, a nod to Ovechkin passing Howe.
Klanderman asked her students to read 802 pages either independently, with a partner, or with a group, come up with and solve 802 math problems, and make 802 words with letters from "Alexander Ovechkin," "Washington Capitals," and "hockey."
She immediately noticed and was taken aback by the impact these activities had on her students' attitudes towards learning.
"I think the goal and hitting a goal really helped," said Klanderman. "I mean, the first day I said, 'Okay let's independent read,' and the class was silent. You could've heard a pin drop they were so into it."
Her students were so inspired by the task that Klanderman said most of them finished their reading in just three days. Parekh and Grohs agreed that these Ovechkin-inspired activities made their schoolwork more enjoyable.
"Yeah, definitely a lot more fun," said Grohs. Parekh added, "It was really exciting. It was like a goal for me."
Attending Ovechkin's celebration at practice did not disappoint either. Both Parekh and Grohs said that this was the highlight of their year already and the best field trip ever.
"It was amazing," said Klanderman. "I think just the experience of being with a big group of people after the pandemic, having that good experience of being in a crowd, and cheering on something positive was awesome."
After practice concluded, Ovechkin took photos with every class from each school. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that the students will never forget.
"I know so many of the students look up to him because he's such a talented athlete, but this shows he's got heart," said Erin Healy, Discovery Principal. "I know this will be an elementary school memory they talk about for a lifetime."
And while for most students it was their first time meeting Ovechkin, the same could not be said for Healy.
Nearly 15 years ago to the day, she met Ovechkin, former Capitals defenseman Mike Green and former Capitals assistant Dean Evason at a Capitals Hockey School clinic at Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington, where she was assistant principal at the time.
Describing the full circle moment with Ovechkin, Healy said, "It's a dream come true. I was thrilled to meet him last time. I'm sure I was starstruck, but he was so great with the kids."
She added, "I was already an Ovi fan, but seeing him so genuinely interested in what kids had to say sealed the deal. Having him come to Williamsburg has been a great story to tell over the years, but this is even better."
On seeing Ovechkin still taking time to give back to the community, specifically young children, all these years later, Healy said, "It shows he's a true hero. He's a role model. He is someone these kids can look up to and admire. We need more people like him."
The practice was one of several community events and initiatives announced by the Capitals and Ovechkin to commemorate him passing Howe.
Ovechkin also made a donation to the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) -- a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through the sport of hockey -- to help cover ice costs for 100 special hockey teams across the U.S. The donation will support 5,000 athletes and 1,400 coaches from February through April.
"Alex's ongoing support is amazing, and his donation is the largest we've ever received," said Jen O'Brien, ASHA Executive Director. "Our athletes can get equipment, but skates and sticks need to be teamed up with ice to include everyone to the game. We cannot do what we do without this kind of support."
O'Brien added, "It's more than just ice time, though. It's about how Alex to many of our athletes, especially in the D.C. area, is a familiar face, and they consider him a friend."
Ovechkin is an ASHA ambassador and has hosted multiple ASHA fundraisers and skating sessions, as well as a street hockey event.
"I enjoy working with kids, so when I did my first event with ASHA, I saw how happy everyone all the kids were and what it meant to them," said Ovechkin. "From that point forward, with the Caps help, we started doing more events and saw the impact it was making. I think it's important every chance you have to help kids and fans, you should do it."
O'Brien said his involvement over the years has "meant everything" as the organization continues to grow.
"One of the things that it means to these athletes and to their parents is that they're seen, and they're seen as hockey players," said O'Brien. "They're seen as part of the hockey community, seen as capable and able."
Additionally, the Capitals Youth Hockey Development team is working with select rinks throughout the region to install an "Ovi's Office" logo in the ice at the top of the left face-off circle in each zone for a limited time in 2023.
"It's pretty cool that the Capitals came up with this idea," said Ovechkin. "I liked it. Anything that that helps grow our sport and get kids playing and having fun, I will support."
He is also slated to grant multiple wishes later this season through wish-granting organizations. To keep the wish experiences as a surprise to the involved children, additional details surrounding the wishes will be shared at a later date.
Ovechkin said he wanted to give back to the community after reaching the historic milestone "because our fans are so important to what we do as hockey players."
He added, "They have been so supportive not only of me but my teammates as well, so it was important for me and our organization to have this event and other events to celebrate the milestones."
