Created in 2000 for players with developmental and intellectual disabilities, ASHA provides people of all ages and abilities a chance to learn and grow through hockey. When Ovechkin hosted the first skate in 2014, there were 50 programs across 30 cities. ASHA has since grown to 78 ASHA programs in more than 65 cities throughout the United States, with five teams in the D.C. area. O'Brien said the organization will continue to add more teams. Ovechkin, she said, has helped their mission.
"Having a champion - and not just with the Stanley Cup - Alex has championed for these kids for a number of years and it's been transformative for the organization and for these kids," O'Brien said. "We have kids who are non-verbal, we have kids in wheelchairs, we have kids who are autistic, we have kids with Down syndrome - they all feel like they're apart of the Capitals. And of course, when you have the captain out there cheering them on, there's nothing like it."