Sports Illustrated has published Alex Prewitt’s special, behind-the-scenes story on the Capitals. Though, I have to warn you, the article sounds more like it’s describing life at a science lab or a hospital than a hockey team.
We learn about Caps trainers giving players dissolvable tablets of magnesium to improve their brain function and packs of powdered Pedialyte to replenish their electrolytes. There’s mentions of Jay Beagle drinking coconut water, Nate Schmidt eating pears, and Braden Holtby drinking 17 liters of fluid before a game, which includes salt water and a pink electrolyte concoction. Then there’s future Hall of Famer Alex Ovechkin, whose winning formula involves drinking three cans of Coke by game time. Perhaps he was inspired by Dale Hunter’s preferred sports drink?
Prewitt mentions that TJ Oshie used an electric stimulation device (Accelerated Recovery Performance machine) on an airplane to help circulate blood around his four muscle groups.
Finally, I’ll leave you with this crazy story:
In 2001 the Capitals’ crew encountered a thick-chested- bouncer blocking the entrance to the locker room at the Air Canada Centre, refusing to budge during a Britney Spears show. Some back and forth ensued until, from around the corner emerged Spears’s then boyfriend. Noticing the logos on the gear, Justin Timberlake told the bouncer, “These guys are all right.”
Thanks, JT, for both bringing sexy back (and also letting Caps officials into the locker room).
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