Make-A-Wish

Wish comes true for Alex Ovechkin fan, Nate ‘The Gr8′ Wessel, as he becomes honorary Capitals’ starter

The wish of 14-year-old Nate Wessel officially came true as the Washington Capitals faced the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night.

After signing a two-day contract and practicing with the team on Wednesday, the youth hockey player joined the team on the ice at Capital One Arena as one of its honorary starters.

Nate was born with a heart condition and had three open-heart surgeries as a kid. A player for the Howard Huskies and his junior varsity team in high school, Nate’s dream was to be a Washington Capitals player.

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By Katie Adler 7 months ago

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Alex Ovechkin and Capitals grant 14-year-old Nate Wessel’s wish, sign youth hockey player to two-day contract

Although the trade deadline passed last week, the Capitals found a way to make another late-season addition to their roster.

Fourteen-year-old Nate Wessel, from Glenwood, Maryland, signed a two-day contract with the team on Wednesday after having his wish granted by the Capitals, his favorite player Alex Ovechkin, and Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic.

Nate was born with a heart condition and has undergone three open-heart surgeries. But he hasn’t let that stop him from his dreams. Despite his medical issues, he plays hockey and suits up for the Howard Huskies.

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By Katie Adler 7 months ago

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Liam Reigel joins Capitals for Make-a-Wish skate, scores goal on Darcy Kuemper with play-by-play from Joe Beninati

On Monday, the Capitals partnered with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic to bring a little bit of magic to the ice, welcoming Liam Reigel to MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

Reigel, who hails from Eldersburg, Maryland, met with his favorite player Lars Eller, then laced up his skates and joined the rest of the team for the end of practice.

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By Katie Adler 7 months ago

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Nashville Predators sign three-year-old Asher Collier to a two-day contract

On Monday, the Nashville Predators hit the ice for their morning skate, but this time with an extra tiny player on the first line.

The Predators, with the assist from Make-A-Wish Middle Tennessee, signed three-year-old Asher Collier to a two-day contract. He is officially the youngest free agent the Predators have ever signed.

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By Elyse Bailey 5 years ago

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14-year-old William Cody takes the ice as a member of the Caps starting lineup

The Capitals had maybe the coolest addition to their lineup on Sunday afternoon. (No, Nate Schmidt isn’t back.) A special young man named William Cody joined the team as a forward, donning number 37.

Cody is a 14-year-old cancer patient who signed a three-day contract with the Capitals through the Make-a-Wish foundation. After a whirlwind weekend with the contract signing and practicing with the team, Sunday was finally the day Cody took the ice as a member of the team.

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By Elyse Bailey 6 years ago

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Capitals sign 14-year-old Make-A-Wish grantee, William Cody, to special three-day contract

Before the puck dropped against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday evening, the dreams of one 14-year-old Caps fan were realized.

Partnering with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, the Capitals signed cancer patient William Cody to a three-day contract. Cody’s wish was to become a Capitals player for a day.

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By Cara Bahniuk 6 years ago

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Caps to grant wish of 14-year-old, cancer patient William Cody

Tuesday afternoon the Capitals announced that they will be granting the wish of 14-year-old William Cody, though the Make-A-Wish program. Diagnosed with leukemia in 2016 and still undergoing treatment, Cody’s wish was to become a Capitals player for a day.

On January 20, the cancer patient will join the team at the conclusion of practice. He’ll receive his own locker stall and jersey. The following day, during the game against the Flyers on January 21, Cody will watch watch warmups from the bench and be announced as part of the starting lineup.

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By Rachel Cohen 6 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin Gives Away Signed Stick, Fulfills Another Fan’s Wish

Photo: @CapsFan070

Alex Ovechkin is a top candidate for the Hart Trophy again this season. And if the national media has been paying any attention at all, Ovechkin will also be a finalist for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy at the end of the year too.

Ovechkin’s contributions to the community include giving away a car, fulfilling the wish of an 8-year-old with diabetes, going out on a sushi date with a 10-year-old with Down Syndrome, giving away countless sticks and pucks, and secretly supporting a bunch of Russian orphanages.

On Tuesday, the Capitals announced on Facebook that Ovechkin was fulfilling another young fan’s wish: Reagan Everett got a signed stick from the Russian Machine after Tuesday’s practice. According to the team he will “help cheer on the ‪Caps‬ during ‪[the Rangers game Wednesday] night!”

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By Ian Oland 9 years ago

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Alex Ovechkin Spends Two Days With Lymphoma Survivor Sam Jacobson For Make-a-Wish

Sam Jacobson, a 16-year-old lymphoma survivor, had his wish come true when he spent two days with the Capitals and his hockey hero, Alexander Ovechkin. The Make-a-Wish Foundation set up the experience for Jacobson, who played on his hockey team during his recovery from lymphoma.

He spent two days with the Capitals, starting with a tour of the practice facility and locker room on March 7 of last year. Jacobson was given had his own stall stocked with hockey equipment donated by Bauer. After suiting up, he ended the day by skating with Ovechkin, Karl Alzner, Jason Chimera, and other players after practice. On top of that, Sam attended two Caps home games and spent some time with Ovechkin after the games in the locker room.

Video of Jacobson’s experience is below the jump.

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By Ian Oland 11 years ago

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William’s Dad Shares Their Experience on Day Two of Will’s Wish

Alexander Semin picks up William after giving him his game jersey. (Photo credit: Shannon family)

Editor’s Note: By now, you’ve probably heard of William Shannon. He is five years old, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and is everyone’s favorite little Capital. Thanks to the make a Wish-A-Wish foundation and the Caps, William had his dream realized and took the ice with Mike Green, Jason Chimera, D.J. King and Semyon Varlamov on Friday.

“This weekend was an incredible event!,” William’s father Devin Shannon said in an email. “William’s wish was to practice with the Capitals and he did! I can’t tell you how much everyone has done for us and what this weekend has meant for us.”

After practicing with the Caps, William’s journey continued on Saturday when he and his family took in Washington’s matchup with the Buffalo Sabres before riding the on the Zamboni and receiving the jersey off the back of Alexander Semin after the game. I’ll let Devin take it from here:

Day two was just as amazing as day one! Allyson Butler from Make-A-Wish met us in the hotel lobby and took us out to wait for our “ride” to the game! Within minutes a very long black stretch limo appeared before us! Bill, our driver, was very nice. William and Emily quickly climbed in and all we heard for a few minutes was: “Cool!” “This is so sweet!” Then we had chatty little ones for the short ride over to the Verizon Center! It is amazing how just the little things make such a huge impression! How neat it was for the kids to get out of the limo right in front of the Verizon Center with so many fans around wondering who the V.I.P. was!

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By Chris Gordon 12 years ago

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