The Washington Capitals hosted their 2016-17 regular season home opener in style Saturday with a special red carpet event. As cars provided by Lexus dropped players off on F Street, diehard Caps fans lined the entrance, hoping for a picture or an autograph with their favorite athlete.
The event started at 3:30 and was hosted by PA Announcer Wes Johnson, who served as the master of ceremonies. Johnson introduced players as they arrived while preselected fans walked the players down the red carpet. Many Caps, including Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson, Nate Schmidt, and Andre Burakovsky, posed for selfies with fans before going inside Verizon Center.
That afternoon, RMNB had two photographers at the event, myself and the talented Katie Snyder (who you can follow on Instagram and Facebook). Snyder is one of the Redskins’ home-game photographers and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Snyder also does a lot of freelance work, including family-based portraits.
Red Carpet Photos
Balloons above the red carpet
A tiny child looks on during the event
A Caps fan looks on, waiting for players.
Wes Johnson gets the crowd pumped up
This fan had a special message for Alex Ovechkin
A family poses before the red carpet event begins
Caps HOF’er Rod Langway poses for a selfie
One of the Caps mascot walks by.
Matt Niskanen conducts an interview
Karl Alzner signs an autograph for a tiny fan
Karl Alzner smiles while conducting an interview
Alzner signs the back of a Caps fan’s jersey
Back-up goaltender Philipp Grubauer arrives
Mascot Slapshot arrives on a segway
Karl Alzner conducts an interview with Monumental Network
A great hat
Karl Alzner meets with another one of his tiny fans
A Caps fan smiles as she meets one of the players
Matt Niskanen signs an autograph
Brooks Orpik signs the back of a kid’s shirt
Orpik signs another autograph
Evgeny Kuznetsov signs the back of a Kuzy shirsey
Kuznetsov conducts an interview
Kuznetsov looks bashful while interviewed
The Red Rockers cheer on the red carpet
Nate Schmidt, in sunglasses, meets his people
Schmidt conducts an interview
Schmidt takes a selfie with fans
Schmidt poses for pictures
TJ Oshie arrives and signs autographs
Nate Schmidt is still meeting his people
Schmidt continues to sign autographs
TJ Oshie greets fans and signs autographs
Evgeny Kuznetsov shakes a fan’s hand
TJ Oshie says hello to a baby Caps fan
Nate Schmidt, in sunglasses, shares a wide smile
Oshie conducts an interview with the media
Oshie signs the back of a Brooks Laich jersey
Oshie signs a hockey stick
John Carlson arrives on the red carpet
Oshie waves to Caps fans
Oshie takes a selfie with a very excited fan
Daniel Winnik arrives in a grey suit
Oshie continues to sign autographs
Oshie speaks on camera
A cute baby looks on
Jay Beagle poses for a selfie
Daniel Winnik poses for a photo with a tiny fan
A fan holds out pucks to be signed
Tarik El-Bashir interviews Nicklas Backstrom
Jay Beagle speaks with Caps fans while walking down the red carpet
Beagle poses for photos
Marcus Johansson arrives and meets with fans
Johansson signs autographs
Jay Beagle continues to sign autographs for fans
Brett Connolly arrives on the red carpet
Connolly signs autographs for fans
The Rocket Richard Trophy Alex Ovechkin won last season as the league’s best scorer
The Jack Adams Award
The Rocket Richard, Vezina, President’s, and Jack Adam’s trophies
Nicklas Backstrom poses with a fan
Connolly takes a selfie with fans
Braden Holtby arrives
Brett Connolly poses for a photo with RMNB
Connolly continues to sign for fans
#CapsNeighbors Andre Burakovsky and Tom Wilson pose for a selfie
Tom Wilson arrives in a grey suit
Rookie Zach Sanford poses for a selfie with a fan
Taylor Chorney does as well
Williams smiles during the event
Lars Eller poses for a photo
Justin Williams poses for a selfie on the red carpet
Justin Williams poses for a photo for RMNB
Eller continues to meet his new fans
A fan holds a signed Rock The Red photo
Tom Wilson looks down the red carpet
Justin Williams stops for an interview
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin arrives
Zach Sanford poses for a photo
Taylor Chorney does as well
Ovechkin getting instructions
Ovechkin takes a selfie with fans
Ovechkin signs autographs
More autographs from the Russian machine
Justin Williams poses for a photo with RMNB
Lars Eller poses with a fan
More autographs from Ovechkin
A Caps spokesman speaks with Ovi
Ovi signs more things
The Red Rockers pose for a photo
Thanks again, Katie!
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