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The honorary starters of today’s Capitals’ Hockey Fights Cancer game were all Wish Kids

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Today is Hockey Fights Cancer day in the NHL, the day when the whole league sports purple to raise awareness and money for cancer-fighting causes.

Prior to the Canucks game in DC, the Washington Capitals starting lineup served as escorts for a very special group of youngsters dealing with cancer.

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The pregame ceremony began with the lights dimming Capital One Arena. Fans used the flashlights on their phones to brighten the room as PA announcer Wes Johnson introduced us to these special fans.

Re’nyiah, with Braden Holtby

The first honorary starter out on the ice was Re’nyiah joined by Capitals’ starting goaltender Braden Holtby. The 16-year-old was in a wheelchair due to her battle with osteosarcoma.

Will, with Michal Kempny

Next up was Will, who was escorted by Michal Kempny out onto the ice. The 16-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 13. The Millersville, Maryland-native’s wish is to create an art installation for his community, which will be granted by Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.

Poppy, with John Carlson

Six-year-old Poppy walked out onto the ice with John Carlson. Poppy, from Herndon, Virginia, was diagnosed in December 2018 with leukemia (blood cancer). Poppy spent 236 days in the hospital and finished her chemotherapy treatments this past August. She recently returned to school and Make-A-Wish will be granting her wish to go to Walt Disney World.

Brock, with TJ Oshie

18-year-old Brock had his wish granted this weekend by the Washington Capitals. Brock’s wish was to meet TJ Oshie who is his favorite player. Brock, a member of his high school club hockey team, recently completed his treatment for a brain tumor.

Owen, with Evgeny Kuznetsov

Owen is an adorable chubby-cheeked six-year-old who is fighting a brain tumor. Evgeny Kuznetsov held his arm as he walked onto the ice. Owen saluted the crowd by raising his stick into the air. He almost high-sticked Kuzy. Owen was four-years-old when he was first diagnosed with cancer.

Owen was later spotted during the first period, enjoying some snacks and being generally adorable.

Lianna, with Alex Ovechkin

Lianna joined Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin out onto the ice. The 18-year-old is undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer and her wish is to visit theme parks in Orlando, Florida.

We love her sticker.

Capitals head coach Todd Reirden first notified the kids that they’d be starting during a surprise meeting at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Friday.

During the game, the Capitals raised tens of thousands of dollars by selling Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys and other signed lavender-colored merchandise.

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Canucks

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