The National Hockey League has long had a diversity problem. Approximately ninety-seven percent of players are white per Wikipedia and management and coaching positions for People of Color and women are even rarer.
But Tuesday, days after the Capitals hired Emily Engel-Natzke to become the first full-time female coach of an NHL team, several historic hirings were announced across the sport that shattered glass ceilings.
By Ian Oland 1 year ago
The Washington Capitals announced the details of a new Black Hockey History Display that will remain permanently at Capital One Arena. Capitals fans who attend Washington’s home game against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday will be the first to glimpse it in person.
The display is located on the main concourse by section 116 and features tributes to Stanley Cup champion Devante Smith-Pelly, Joel Ward, Mike Marson, and others.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
The New Jersey Devils announced Monday afternoon that they had hired former Capitals player Mike Grier as an assistant coach.
Grier spent two seasons with the Capitals in 2002-03 and 2003-04, scoring 23 goals, 52 assists, and racking up 68 PIMs over a span of 150 games with the team. He also spent time playing for the Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks over his 14 year NHL career before retiring in 2011.
By Rachel Cohen 5 years ago
Braden Holtby heeds the direction of Bruce Boudreau during Caps practice at HSBC Arena.
[Ed. note – Was it oversight, kismet, or charity? Regardless, Buffalo-based Caps fan and RMNB reader, Stephanie Carosa, got to watch what should have been a closed practice on Saturday. She shares that story and her recollections from the miserable game with the Sabres below.]
I live in Buffalo, so I have only two chances to see the Capitals in my own city. Every time they come it’s a big deal to me, and Saturday night was no exception. I was determined to make it a full day of hockey, so I planned on going to practice in the morning and the game at night.
The Sabres’ morning skates at HSBC Arena are open to the public, and you can often catch a glimpse of players on the visiting team hanging around. I got there early so I could grab a seat behind the Caps bench. Even though the Caps were foremost on my mind, I was excited to see Ryan Miller on the ice after being sidelined for almost two weeks due to injury. Towards the end of practice, I caught a quick glimpse of Chimera in the tunnel. *Gasp! First Caps sighting of the day!* A few minutes later, John Erskine appeared *Gasp! Two Caps!*, and then Harry Neale (the Sabres and former Hockey Night in Canada color guy who is known for his, er, quick wit?) came out and joked around with him for a bit.
By 13 years ago
