Hockey Fights Cancer

Capitals host post-practice Hockey Fights Cancer skate for the first time in two years

The Washington Capitals played host to a very special afternoon on Sunday. The entire roster participated in a post-practice Hockey Fights Cancer skate with children and families from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Mid-Atlantic Region, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, and Pancreatic Cancer Action Network inside MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

It’s the first time in two years the team has been able to host the skate after pausing it for COVID-pandemic-related reasons.

(more…)

By Chris Cerullo 5 months ago

4 Comments

Scenes from Hockey Fights Cancer night at Capital One Arena

The Washington Capitals hosted Hockey Fights Cancer night at Capital One Arena on Sunday. The team lit their barn purple and went to great lengths pregame to honor those in the DMV and Capitals community who have been impacted by cancer.

The Caps took the ice during warmups wearing specially designed lavender jerseys. Players also taped their sticks with lavender-colored tape. The jerseys and sticks are now available via auction to help raise money for cancer research.

Before puck drop, the fierce rivals held a moment of reflection where they stood at center ice together.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 1 year ago

1 Comment

Capitals reveal the lavender-colored jerseys they’ll wear for Hockey Fights Cancer night

The Washington Capitals announced on Thursday that they will host Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness night against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, November 14. The Caps will wear specially-designed lavender jerseys during warmups and also put lavender-colored tape on their sticks to raise awareness for national and local organizations involved in cancer care and research.

Afterward, the player-used items will be put up for auction (see all the merch up for bid here) to help raise money for the team’s Hockey Fights Cancer auction beneficiaries.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 1 year ago

3 Comments

Nic Dowd surprises nine-year-old girl diagnosed with cancer earlier in the year

London Simpson’s 2020 has been even more challenging than normal. The nine-year-old Caps fan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, the most common type of cancer in children, and was getting chemotherapy while trying to complete the fourth grade.

“The beginning of the year, we were in the hospital for the first month doing treatment,” Rose Simpson, London’s mom, said to the Capitals. “So many treatments and so much chemo that basically she could barely get out of bed and barely walk. Now, to go months later, we’re finally in maintenance and she’s running around. It’s exciting to see her come up from the treatment.”

Recently, the family was surprised by the Capitals and Nic Dowd with a Hope For Henry Homegating Party to try and lift their spirits after such a challenging year.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 2 years ago

0 Comment

#OskarStrong: Nicklas Backstrom and Carl Hagelin support countryman Oskar Lindblom who was diagnosed with cancer

Nicklas Backstrom had a request for the Flyers ahead of Wednesday Night Rivalry game in Philadelphia, PA: Might he have a few t-shirts?

Backstrom and teammate and fellow Swede Carl Hagelin received and donned black shirts with purple text bearing the number 23 and the words “Oskar Strong.”

23-year-old Flyers’ forward Oskar Lindblom was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, Ewing sarcoma, in December 2019. He’s expected to miss the remainder of the season.

(more…)

By Brennin Weiswerda 3 years ago

1 Comment

The honorary starters of today’s Capitals’ Hockey Fights Cancer game were all Wish Kids

Today is Hockey Fights Cancer day in the NHL, the day when the whole league sports purple to raise awareness and money for cancer-fighting causes.

Prior to the Canucks game in DC, the Washington Capitals starting lineup served as escorts for a very special group of youngsters dealing with cancer.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 3 years ago

0 Comment

Oliver Ekman-Larsson switches spots with 8-year-old fighting cancer during ceremonial faceoff

Before all the ugly face-punching and line brawling, the Arizona Coyotes and Calgary Flames authored one of the most beautiful moments of the hockey season during the game’s ceremonial faceoff.

Eight-year-old hockey player, Leighton Accardo, was given the honor to drop the first puck, but Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson decided to flip the script. Leighton, who is fighting cancer, was signed to a one-day contract by Coyotes management on the day of the game.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 3 years ago

3 Comments

Capitals to host Hockey Fights Cancer night on November 23

The Capitals’ annual Hockey Fights Cancer night will take place on Saturday, November 23, when the Caps take on the Vancouver Canucks at Capital One Arena.

Like in previous years, the team will don lavender-colored jerseys for warm ups and have special decals on their helmets. Select players will also have sticks wrapped in lavender-colored tape. Nicklas Backstrom will also be donning lavender skate blades in honor of his mother, who is a breast cancer survivor.

(more…)

By Rachel Cohen 3 years ago

3 Comments

Capitals and Red Wings honor those who have fought or are currently fighting cancer with powerful moment of silence

Ahead of puck drop of the Capitals-Red Wings game, the 20 players from each team lined up on the blue line during what, for some, was an emotional pregame ceremony.

Honoring those who have been lost and who are currently fighting cancer, Capitals and Red Wings players held up their sticks while the Capital One Arena stood silent with their phones raised to the sky.

(more…)

By Ian Oland 4 years ago

0 Comment

Capitals spend time with Make-A-Wish kids at Hockey Fights Cancer skate (Photos)

Saturday afternoon was the first time that seven-year old Josiah Desper had ever skated, but he had a heck of a teacher by his side. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin greeted Josiah with a hug, helped him tie his skates, and then the two zoomed away at full speed, holding hands.

Josiah has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. His mother, Sha Desper, told NHL’s Tom Gulitti that Saturday’s skate with Ovechkin helped keep Josiah’s mind off the stress of his treatments.

“He doesn’t have to worry about doctors, hospitals, needles, treatment, pills,” Sha said. “As you see, he’s fully enjoying himself. That’s why I bring him out to stuff like this.”

The Capitals hosted Saturday’s Hockey Fights Cancer skate at Medstar Capitals Iceplex, following regular practice. Each player was paired with a Make-A-Wish kid, and children from the Capitals’ other charity partners Flashes of Hope, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network also participated in the skate.

(more…)

By Elizabeth Kong 4 years ago

1 Comment

12 3 4

Page 1 of 4