The Washington Capitals announced today that they are launching an online Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club merchandise shop with proceeds benefiting Fort Dupont and the Capital Impact Fund.

Currently, there is a t-shirt, hoodie, beanie, and iron on patch available to purchase at WashCaps.com/FortDupontApparel.

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Fort Dupont is Washington DC’s only indoor hockey rink, and the Fort Dupont Cannons are the oldest minority hockey club in North America. Neal Henderson founded the program in 1978 and ever since has provided local and inner-city youth with the opportunity to participate in an organized ice hockey program.

Over the years, several Capitals players have hosted individual skates for the Fort Dupont Cannons, either at MedStar Capitals Iceplex or Fort Dupont, including Alex Ovechkin.

The Capital Impact Fund supports organizations that assist in eliminating cost barriers faced by local minority youth players. The purpose of fund is to help minority youth players reach their greatest potential and create a more equal playing field for all.

In August of 2020, the team announced that it would be helping promote diversity in hockey and racial equality through efforts centered around three pillars: youth hockey, education, and awareness.

More from the Capitals:

Capitals Launch Fort Dupont Cannons Merchandise Shop

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation announced today a Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club online merchandise shop, with proceeds benefitting Fort Dupont and the Washington Capitals Capital Impact Fund.

A co-branded Capitals and Fort Cannons T-shirt, hoodie, pom beanie and iron on patch are available to purchase at WashCaps.com/FortDupontApparel.

Proceeds from the merchandise will benefit the Washington Capitals Capital Impact Fund and the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club. Customers will receive their orders within three weeks of the store closing on Jan. 31.

The Capital Impact Fund supports organizations that assist in eliminating cost barriers faced by local minority youth players. The purpose of fund is to help minority youth players reach their greatest potential and create a more equal playing field for all.

The Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club is part of the National Hockey League’s Hockey is for Everyone Program and is the oldest minority hockey program in North America. Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, founded in 1978 by Coach Neal Henderson, is a developmental program that provides local and inner-city youth with the opportunity to participate in an organized ice hockey program. The Cannons play out of the Fort Dupont Ice Arena located in Southeast D.C.

Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB