On Tuesday, former Capitals goaltender and current goaltender coach Olie Kolzig spent his day with the cup in Tri-Cities, Washington.
The Capitals legend dedicated most of his day to the Responding to Autism Center and collected donations for the Center in exchange for pictures with the Cup. He and wife Christin’s son Carson is autistic, and the Kolzig family is a very strong advocate for assisting people with autistic family members.
Olie the Goalie gets his chance with the #stanleycup. @nhl @Capitals @TCAmericans @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/6R5w2Xa3Hs
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) October 23, 2018
Olie founded the Carson Kolzig Foundation in 2004 which promotes autism education and support services. The Responding to Autism Center opened in March 2010 and provides assistance to families in the Tri-Cities area.
Come out to the Responding to Autism Center between 10-11am on Tuesday and get your photo with the Stanley Cup. Donations benefit autism programs in the Tri-Cities. pic.twitter.com/y5k9Wtwwv5
— Carson Kolzig Found. (@ckolzigfndation) October 23, 2018
In an interview with KAPP-KVEW, Kolzig urged parents who need help to reach out to the center and said, “It is a struggle and it is hard work. That is why places like the Responding to Autism Center, people like Christine are vital to the community because they will help.”
Kolzig also emphasized that reaching out is the hardest but most vital step and said, “The solace is that there’s plenty of support that you can draw from. I think that’s the biggest thing for parents when they first find out is to get that support and comfort.”
Kolzig also brought the Cup to the Tri-City Americans’ rink. Kolzig owns the Tri-City Americans, a WHL team based in Kennewick, Washington. He took photos with guests, including one with Edmonton Oiler prospect Kailer Yamamoto’s father.
A photo I’m sure everyone has been waiting for … Olie Kolzig and Kailer Yamamoto’s dad on Tri-City Americans ice with the Stanley Cup. #Oilers #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JOeYbaqRsV
— Mary Gates (@marymaeg) October 23, 2018
Kolzig played 16 seasons for the Capitals and owns almost every goaltender record imaginable for the team. He has been an important part of the franchise since he was drafted by the Capitals in the first round of the 1989 NHL Draft. You can donate to the Carson Kolzig Foundation here.
Headline photo: @ckolzigfndation
