The Washington Capitals have announced their roster and schedule for training camp. It’s basically “blah blah blah,” 66 players, “blah blah blah,” a buncha scrimmages, but I wanna point out the part that struck me.

The Capitals have organized training camp into groups, each named for a different Caps legend.

Group Hunter

House Ghost: Bloody Dale Hunter

Colors: Blue and Gray

Element: Air

Season: Winter

Qualities: Self-reliance, Toughness, Hockeyplaying

Group Bondra

House Ghost: Peter Bondra the Bold

Colors: Black and Brown

Element: Earth

Season: Autumn

Qualities: Cunning, Decisiveness, Cleverness

Group Gartner

House Ghost: Mike Gartner

Colors: Red and Beige

Element: Water

Season: Summer

Qualities: Bravery, Dependability, Imagination

Group Kolzig

House Ghost: Sir Olie Kolzig

Colors: Brown and Blue

Season: Spring

Element: Ice

Qualities: Definitely not the evil group, that’s for sure

There are also groups named for Calle Johansson and Scott Stevens and Michael Pivonka and Sylvain Cote and Kevin Hatcher and Rod Langway, but we can only spread the Hogwarts joke so far.

It’s not clear yet what the names signify, but if Maclellan and Trotz intend to instill the message of “the Capitals Way,” this is one way to do it. Not sure if Stevens is the kind of guy we want players to emulate though.

Here’s the full release from the Capitals:

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals will begin their 2014-15 Training Camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex on Friday, Sept. 19, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Training camp will last 18 days with the NHL regular season beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 8. This marks the Capitals’ eighth training camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the Metro-accessible, inside-the-Beltway practice facility that features two NHL-sized rinks. All on-ice sessions, like every Capitals practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, will be open to the public and free of charge.

The training camp roster will be broken up into three squads (Teams Red, White, Blue) and their schedule will vary. Players will be available to the media at the conclusion of their on-ice sessions (approximate times are listed below). Those media members seeking specific players should check with the Capitals media relations department in advance for the best time to gain access to individuals as it will likely change daily. Head coach Barry Trotz will be made available to the media following the final on-ice session of each day.

The Capitals complete training camp roster and schedule is attached and listed below. The roster must be trimmed to 23 players by Tuesday, Oct. 7. Unlike other professional sports, there is no mandatory schedule for making roster cuts.

The Capitals will celebrate the team’s 40th anniversary when they open the 2014-15 regular season versus the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Verizon Center. The Capitals’ Opening Night at Verizon Center, presented by GEICO, marks the anniversary of the franchise’s first game at the New York Rangers on Oct. 9, 1974. To commemorate the occasion, Capitals legends will participate in a ceremonial puck drop, and the Capitals will wear white alternate uniforms during the home opener.

Similar to previous years, Kettler Capitals Iceplex will be closed to the media on Thursday, Sept. 18 – the day Capitals veterans conduct physicals and off-ice testing. The Capitals will hold Media Day on Sept. 19. All Capitals players, coaches and management will be available to the media. There are three practice sessions scheduled that day (Group Blue at 9:30 a.m., Group White at 11 a.m. and Group Red at 12:30 p.m.). Players will be available to the media at the conclusion of their on-ice sessions.

Training Camp Roster