ARLINGTON, VA — The Washington Capitals continued their Black History Month festivities on Saturday, hosting a Rising Stars Academy clinic at MedStar Capitals Iceplex. Jakob Chychrun, Lars Eller, and Pierre-Luc Dubois hit the ice with more than 25 local minority high school hockey players to assist with skill sessions, while former Capital Devante Smith-Pelly joined in to observe from the bench.
Both the pro players and the clinic’s participants sported the Capitals’ recently-released Celebrating Black History jerseys, with the youth players donning a black variant instead of gray sweaters.
Founded by the Capitals in 2023, the Rising Stars Academy provides both skill development and mentorship to support local youth hockey players of color, offering programming at no cost thanks to financial support from the team’s Capital Impact Fund. Caps players and the Rising Stars Academy hosted a similar youth clinic in February of 2024, though Saturday’s event featured solely high school-age participants.
Gonzaga Varsity 2 head coach Bryan King led the clinic, with additional support coming from Tennessee State University head coach Duante’ Abercrombie and Fort Dupont Ice Hockey assistant coach Ralph Featherstone.
After idolizing NHL players as a child, Jakob Chychrun was grateful for the opportunity to pay it forward to young players in the DC area.
“I was all these kids’ age once and looked up to all the professionals,” he said. “I grew up in South Florida, so it was always the Panthers guys, and if I ever had an opportunity to skate with them, it was something I looked forward to and had a lot of fun with. We try to come out and do the best we can to help mentor these kids and coach them. They’re working hard, so it’s fun to be out here with them.”
Lars Eller, too, was happy for the chance to give back, emphasizing the importance of encouraging marginalized players.
“Regardless of your color or your background, there’s so much talent everywhere that should be explored and come forward,” he said. “…I think every kid should have the experience of hockey and have a chance to fall in love with it. This is what programs like [these are] about.”
Eller hoped that spending time with NHL players up close would also help make young players’ aspirations of going pro feel more possible.
“I think it makes the dream a little bit more realistic,” he said. “It makes it real to them, to see that I’m not just a person on TV or some kind of superhero, but you’re actually just a normal human being and the dreams that they’re chasing are very much a possibility.”
Celebrate Black History jerseys signed by players — including Chychrun, Dubois, and Eller — are up for auction through the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation through Sunday, February 23 at 4 pm. Capitals Black History Month pucks and team-signed youth hockey jerseys will also be available. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Capital Impact Fund, helping to fund programming like the Rising Stars Academy.
Photos
