ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals’ practice facility played host to dozens of the NHL’s best prospects last week for the NHLPA Rookie Showcase. For Logan Cooley, the third overall pick in 2022, the event also meant a chance to skate on the ice where his childhood idol plies his trade.

Cooley grew up in Pittsburgh but was enamored by Alex Ovechkin’s play from a young age. Despite learning to skate through Sidney Crosby’s Little Penguins youth program, he became a rare Caps fan deep in rival territory.

Now, he could soon face off against both Crosby and Ovechkin as a member of the Arizona Coyotes.

At the showcase, Cooley told reporters he anticipated a big crowd for his return to Pittsburgh. While his childhood loyalties remains with Washington, he is excited about the prospect of playing against his hometown team.

“I have a ton of family getting tickets for that game,” he said. “I think they got a box seat actually. Obviously, growing up in Pittsburgh — and I was a Capitals fan growing up, actually — always loved [the Penguins] too. Crosby was such a role model on and off the ice, so being able to play against him is going to be pretty special.”

The prospect of playing against Ovechkin, however, might be even more special.

“That’s the real one that I might be a little starstruck,” he said, visibly excited at the idea. “That would be so much fun to do that, especially because he was my favorite player growing up.”

Ahead of his draft day, Cooley spoke to ESPN about his childhood love for the Caps, particularly given their rivalry with his local team.

“I definitely got a lot of hate for that,” he said then. “I was a big Ovechkin fan. Loved the way he played. Loved the way he scored goals. I just saw him on the Caps and became a big Capitals fan.”

Cooley described his Caps’ fanhood as “definitely a lot of heartbreak,” but added, “2018 was a good year.”

Though Ovechkin skated at MedStar Capitals Iceplex ahead of the showcase, he and Cooley didn’t cross paths. Instead, Cooley’s first meeting with Ovechkin may soon happen on the ice.

Cooley signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Coyotes this summer after his freshman season at the University of Minnesota. Should he make the Coyotes out of training camp, he’ll come face-to-face with the Capitals on December 4 at Mullett Arena.

Headline photo: Katie Adler/RMNB