IJAMSVILLE, MD — As Alex Ovechkin continues his march toward history, the Washington Capitals are honoring their captain with countdown clocks, yard signs, and a literal goal throne.
But other unofficial tributes are pouring in that are just as impactful.
Forty miles northwest of Washington DC, one hockey-loving family created an Ovechkin goal counter that can be spotted nearly a half mile away on Ijamsville Road — a winding backroad that connects the outskirts of Frederick city with Urbana. Ovechkin’s career goal count is lit up in bold neon red with the silhouette of Sugarloaf Mountain sitting opposite the home.
“Some of the neighbors thought it was a political statement,” John Harper, the creator of the tribute, told RMNB, laughing. “But if you know, you know.”
Harper, a UMBC graduate who recently retired after a long career with Marriott International, explained that he created the goal counter with more than 50 feet of rope light he purchased off Amazon. He then used black electrical tape to meticulously create the kerning between each number.
The counter initially started on the grass, but — after a neighborhood landscaper worried he’d mow over the creation — moved up to the brown lattice of Harper’s deck.
John’s two hockey-playing sons, Ryley, 28, and McGarity, 25, who both starred on Oakdale High School’s hockey team, inspired him to create the tribute.
“They started to play ice hockey in the Frederick area when they were six-years-old for SkateFrederick,” Harper said. “They ended up becoming great players and played for Team Maryland out of Rockville in their Peewee and Bantam years, traveling up and down the east coast. They were very fortunate to have played with Nylander and Bondra’s children since their kids were the same age as ours. My oldest Ryley ended up being Maryland’s High School Player of the Year in 2013.
“I was going to do the goal count to show how many to beat the record, however, but my son McGarity said, ‘Do the goal count and change it every time he scores,'” he continued. “He has no idea how much energy it takes to do that, but I said, ‘What the heck!'”
Both of John’s sons are huge fans of the Capitals and Ovechkin. The family went to great lengths to land tickets for Game 4 of the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, where they watched the Capitals defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 6-2 at Capital One Arena and take a 3-1 lead in the championship series.
“Ovechkin has been their hero from Day 1,” Harper said. “They know everything about him and have watched every goal he has scored.”
Updating passer-byers on Ovechkin’s march toward immortality is just the latest use for the rope light, which has gone from being Christmas decor to Caps encouragement in the playoffs.
“Each year, I do a Christmas tree on our hill, which I started probably 15, 20 years ago, and the kids in the neighborhood love it,” Harper said. “They always ask when the tree will be ready. During the last 10 years, I’ve added Caps and Ovi lights, usually to help with the playoff push. Many people honk as they go by, doing the ‘Let’s Go Caps’ with their car horn. The neighbors and kids in the community are all fans and ask each year what am I going to do for the Caps.”
While standing outside and gazing at the goal counter, then sitting on 888, Harper looked up proudly at his work and was particularly enthused that a nerdy blog writer spent so much time tracking him down to write a story. With his face lit dimly in red, Harper summed up how many Capitals fans are feeling in the moment.
“At the end of the day, we are so lucky to be able watch the greatest goal scorer all time,” he said.
