February is Black History Month, and the Capitals have announced several initiatives to honor Black History in hockey.

On February 26, the Capitals will host Black History in Hockey Night during their home game against the Ottawa Senators. Prior to the game’s start, Willie O’Ree will be participating in a ceremonial puck drop. O’Ree became the first black hockey player to play in the NHL in 1958 as a member of the Boston Bruins, and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.

The NHL’s Black Hockey history Tour will also be making a stop in DC from February 25-27. This mobile exhibit, according to the NHL, showcases 200 years of black achievement in hockey, and features “the founders, trail blazers, history makers, and Stanley Cup champions and also look ahead to the next generation of young stars, NHL Officials, broadcasters, and women in the game.”

The museum will be located at the Canadian Embassy (501 Pennsylvania Ave NW) and will be open from 11am – 7pm. The embassy is also currently exhibiting a show featuring the portraits painted by artist Tony Harris for the NHL’s “100 Greatest Players” in their Art Gallery.

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The Washington Capitals announced initiatives in honor of Black History Month, including a mobile museum and Black History in Hockey theme night.

NHL Presents Black Hockey History Tour

The Washington Capitals and Embassy of Canada will host the National Hockey League’s Black Hockey History Tour, a uniquely curated mobile museum, at the Embassy from Feb. 25-27.

The 525-square foot museum, presented by American Legacy, presents 200 years of black achievement in hockey. Exhibits feature the founders, trail blazers, history makers, and Stanley Cup champions and also look ahead to the next generation of young stars, NHL Officials, broadcasters, and women in the game.

The museum will be open daily to the general public from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., with several additional group visits facilitated by the Capitals.

While touring the mobile museum, guests are also invited to visit the Embassy Art Gallery. The gallery is currently featuring The 100 Greatest NHL Players, an NHL collection of portraits by Tony Harris honoring one hundred years of NHL hockey.

Black History in Hockey Theme Night

As part of the Capitals’ Black History in Hockey theme night on Tuesday, Feb. 26, versus the Ottawa Senators, NHL legend Willie O’Ree will participate in a ceremonial puck drop.

O’Ree was the first black hockey player in the NHL, making his debut on Jan. 18, 1958, as a member of the Boston Bruins organization. O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 in the Builders category.

The evening will also honor diversity and inclusion in hockey with tributes throughout the game.