Alex Ovechkin became the NHL’s new goals king on Sunday after scoring the 895th goal of his career against the New York Islanders and passing Wayne Gretzky for first overall at .
Now with the Capitals back at home in DC, the team announced several public events to celebrate with fans. The primary activations include a kids’ day practice on Wednesday, a pre-game ceremony ahead of Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes, and a free-to-attend party on Friday.
GR895 Kids Day Practice – Wed., April 9
The Capitals will start the week off by inviting 895 kids from surrounding schools to Wednesday morning’s practice where Ovechkin is expected to participate.
All of the students will be fourth and fifth graders from Arlington Public Schools.
Gr8ness Pre-game Ceremony – Thurs., April 10
Ahead of puck drop on Thursday, the Capitals will hold a “Gr8ness Pre-game Ceremony,” attended by Caps owner Ted Leonsis, chairman Dick Patrick, president of hockey operations Brian MacLellan, as well as Ovechkin’s wife Nastya, kids Sergei and Ilya, mom Tatyana, and father-in-law Kirill. During the ceremony, Ovechkin will be presented a special gift from the Leonsis family, the Capitals organization, and his teammates.
Monumental Sports Network’s Joe Beninati, who called Ovechkin’s historic goal, will be the master of ceremonies.
The Capitals also announced that they will be doing a rally towel giveaway for all fans in attendance.
The team has also renamed “The Gr8 Chase Throne” to the “The Gr8 King Throne.” Fans can take pictures sitting on the throne made out of pucks outside section 114 and 115. The team says the installation has been updated with a special “KING” backdrop to signify the chase’s completion.
Ovechkin and record-related merchandise will be available to purchase at the special Ovi Shop at Capital One Arena, which will be open during the remaining Capitals home games. The team store at Capital One Arena will also have additional Ovechkin-related items.
GR8 City Celebration – Fri, April 11
On Friday, April 11, from 3-5 pm, the Capitals are hosting the GR8 City Celebration at Union Station in the main hall. The free-to-attend party will be attended by Ovechkin, Leonsis, Nicklas Backstrom, and TJ Oshie.
The team says there will be opportunities for photo ops, giveaways, and other Capitals alumni appearances. Giveaways include Ovi fat heads on a stick, coasters, buttons, and GR8ness T-shirts.
There will be additional merchandise on sale via the GR8 Retail Pop Up Shop.
Union Station is also the site of the giant Ovi Gr8 congratulatory banners outside the station’s main entrance. The banners were put up on Monday and showcase the several stages of Ovechkin’s career with the Capitals.
Update (4/11): The Capitals have moved the GR8 City Celebration to Capital One Arena to accommodate a larger crowd.
GR8ness Alex Ovechkin ‘O’ At Union Market District
The letter ‘O’ in the Union Market sign at DC’s Union Market District has been transformed into a Gr8ness ‘O’ featuring a smiling Alex Ovechkin.
Murals in Adams Morgan and the Union Market District
A mural dedicated to Ovechkin by artist Brandon Hill has been unveiled on the wall of Jubilee Housing’s primary headquarters building in DC’s Adams Morgan neighborhood.
The mural, titled “G.O.A.T – Gr8est of All Time,” features Ovechkin in the Capitals’ black Screaming Eagle jersey next to his “Ovi” nickname in stylized block letters.
Another mural, designed by artist David Barr, is located on the historic Market building in the Union Market District.
Barr’s mural is titled “Gr8ness,’ and is a collage of some of Ovechkin’s greatest moments for the Capitals, including raising the Stanley Cup in 2018.
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