Capitals get some quality time with Premier League Trophy

ARLINGTON, Va. - After spending the summer celebrating with the Stanley Cup, the Washington Capitals got to spend some time with another championship trophy Thursday.

Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom were among the Capitals soccer fans who were thrilled to have their photos taken with the Premier League Trophy. Representatives from the Premier League and NBC Sports brought the trophy to MedStar Capitals Iceplex to promote the first Premier League Mornings Live Fan Fest of the season, which will be held at Capital View at 400 in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, beginning at 7 a.m. ET, and telecast on NBCSN.
"It's a pretty cool experience," Ovechkin said. "It's a legendary trophy. I'm a fan of soccer and it's nice to have it here."
The Premier League Trophy is 3-feet, 5-inches tall and weighs about 55 pounds. That's about 20 pounds heavier than the Stanley Cup.

The main body is made of solid sterling silver. The base is made from Malacite. The crown on top was cast from 24-carat silver gilt.
The Capitals didn't get the chance to compare lifting the Premier League Trophy to the Stanley Cup because only those who have won the Premier League Trophy are permitted to touch or lift it. Standing next to it for photos is allowed.
"I wish we can have a drink from here," Kuznetsov joked.
Like the Stanley Cup has "Cup keepers" from the Hockey Hall of Fame that travel with it wherever it goes, the Premier League Trophy has "trophy ambassadors" that accompany it and make sure the trophy is handled properly. Ambassador John Cochrane said he was most recently in China and India with the trophy.

When the Capitals had their days with the Stanley Cup this summer, they witnessed the effect it can have on people around the world. The Cup is in Montreal this week to be engraved with the Capitals' names.
They'll get it back when they receive their championship rings on Monday.
"In every sport, you have some trophies, you have some cups and it's all about history," said Ovechkin, who brought the Cup to his hometown of Moscow in July. "When you touch it, you feel the energy of what this cup means. Lots of people want to see it."
Ovechkin and Kuznetsov root for Liverpool and hope this is the season the Reds get to lift the Premier League Trophy for the first time. Backstrom roots for Arsenal.
Capitals coach Todd Reirden said he likes Manchester City, the reigning Premiere League champions.
"That was a really neat experience to see that," Reirden said of the trophy. "I know a lot of our guys are really big soccer fans, so it's a nice to see other trophies, especially when we have one of our own now."