Home / News / Braden Holtby spoke at the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner, and several teammates joined him

Braden Holtby spoke at the Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner, and several teammates joined him

By Brennin Weiswerda

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September 15, 2018 11:24 pm

Braden Holtby, the Capitals’ Stanley Cup winning goalie and their You Can Play Ambassador, was a surprise guest at the Human Rights Campaign’s 22nd Annual National Dinner. The event helps to raise money and awareness to advocate for LGBTQ equality.

In Holtby’s speech, he said that the Capitals are “proof that supporting LGBTQ equality is a winning decision, and we’re honored to stand with you in this fight.”

The Holtbys weren’t the only Capitals representatives. The Holtbys were joined by Nathan Walker and his wife Tayla, Chandler Stephenson and his girlfriend Tasha Maltman, and Brett Connolly and his wife Katrina.

Photo: @humanrightscampaign

As part of the HRC’s silent auction, the Capitals donated the “ultimate fan package.” It includes club-level seats to a regular season game, the opportunity to watch warm-ups from the penalty box, and some sweet swag–an autographed jersey from Holtby and four Caps Pride T-shirts.

The dinner was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Joe Biden spoke earlier in the evening, and Holtby gave the introduction for Olympian Adam Rippon.

The Capitals’ goalie and his wife Brandi Holtby have been staunch LGBTQ advocates for a long time. They’ve attended previous HRC galas and have donated to the organization, and have walked with the Capitals in past DC Pride Parade marches.

This was the first year that Braden missed the DC Pride parade. Brandi was still part of the Capitals’ float, and Braden wore a rainbow pride hat during the Stanley Cup celebration.

After the speeches at the National Dinner, the Holtbys took pictures with fans.

Headline photo: @humanrightscampaign

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