"CAPITALS CAN FILL HOLES FROM WITHIN ORGANIZATION" IS A GOOD READ

"Capitals can fill holes from within organization," is a terrific article from NHL Staff Writer, Mike G. Morreale. It is detailed as "the 18th installment of our 30 Teams in 30 Days feature."

After recounting Washington Capitals general manager George McPhee's long-understood belief in building the team from within, Morreale opined that he was not surprised when McPhee hesitated from asked who would fill in as second-line center behind Nicklas Backstrom.

"We think Brooks Laich can play that position, and he might be able to play it very well," McPhee is quoted by Morreale. "We certainly like doing stuff like that within the organization, and we're ready to do that if needed. Brooks played that position last year when Sergei was injured."

The following is a link to reading the complete article. Sphere: Related Content

OVI TRADES SKATES FOR AN APRON -- at least for one night!

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin will be turning in his skates -- at least for an evening -- when he puts on an apron and assumes the role of guest chef at Mari Vanna, a Russian restaurant based in New York, according to Washington Business Journal.

On a restaurant profile of Mari Vanna, it reads, "Once upon a time in Moscow & St. Petersburg, a mythical woman named Mari Vanna welcomed diners into her home with open arms, feeding them traditional Russian fare on her finest china and linens."

Now, instead of Mari Vanna, it wil be the Caps' own Ovi teaching diners "what true Russian hospitality means."

But Ovi will not be the only celebrity at Mari Vanna. The restaurant, which began a "Who's the host?" series in which celebrities get to enjoy a change in roles and titles, also has scheduled Milla Jovovich, it is reported.

And the "hot spot" with "imperial opulence," Mari Vanna has not only attracted celebrity guest chefs, but has also attracted celebrity diners. Actor Nico Tortorella of the show "The Beautiful Life" celebrated his 21st birthday at the restaurant.

Ovechkin is expected to appear at the restaurant early next month, likely on September 8 or 9th. Sphere: Related Content

CAPS INVITE 19-YEAR-OLD RYAN JASINSKY TO ROOKIE CAMP

"I saw Ryan play in Victoriaville and knew that he was big and tough," said Washington Capitals Director of Player Development Steve Richmond in speaking of Youngstown Phantoms' 19-year old Ryan Jasinsky.

The Capitals, recognizing Jasinsky's talent, have invited him to participate in the team's rookie camp early next month.

"We're lacking in young toughness in our organization because those types of guys are hard to find," explained Richmond. "It's a difficult job, but what we want to find out about Ryan is his level of skill and hockey sense. We decided to bring him in and get a close look at what he can do."

The 6 ft 3, 215 pound Jasinsky looked at Youngstown a real chance to improve his skills. Previously he spent two seasons with the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

"Being in Youngstown is a great opportunity for me," Jasinsky told oursportscentral after a practice at the Ice Zone in Boardman. "I'm not here to play a limited role or go out once or twice a period and drop [the gloves]. I'm going to get more ice time and I'm working on becoming a better all-around player."

Phantoms Head Coach/General Manager Bob Mainhardt said of Jasinsky, "Ryan's a big, strong, committed guy who's not afraid to get his nose dirty and do what it takes. But we see something much more than that. We see someone who can score goals, be an offensive threat and play a role in all areas of the game. We're trying to show him we have confidence he can be that well-rounded power forward who plays with a chip on his shoulder."

Jasinsky and other camp invitees will report to the Kettler Capitals Complex in Arlington, Va. on Monday, Sept. 6. A highlight of the camp experience will come on Saturday, Sept. 11 when they will play a game against the Philadelphia Flyers' rookies.

"Hopefully I show up and do really well," Jaskinsky said. "Then maybe I can play on one of their farm teams or even with the big club in the next few years."

As for Mainhardt, he thinks, "He's got the potential [to go to the NHL. Obviously, he's willing to work hard and sacrifice the body, which is the biggest thing. If he can prove himself this year, I think the sky's the limit, but these next couple of years are really important."

Sphere: Related Content

BRODA AWAITS OFFER FROM NHL CAPITALS

Trying to earn spot in organization, but P.A. product might return to WHL after all

JOHN MACNEIL
The Prince Albert Daily Herald

After leading the Western Hockey League with 53 goals last season, Joel Broda appeared to be a lock to graduate to pro ranks this fall.

That might still happen, but for now the Prince Albert resident is waiting to sign an NHL contract with the Washington Capitals, who drafted the forward in the fifth round in 2008.

"Maybe at the start of the off-season, I certainly thought it would happen sooner," Broda said this week from Calgary, where the Hitmen begin their main training camp Friday.

"But, every team is different. (The Capitals) have a really deep organization, so they've had the time to wait with me. They're just taking their time, and they have the right to do so.

"I've just got to make sure that I do what's best for my future."

Lesser talents and lower-profile players have signed pro contracts, but Broda still believes his time will come with Washington. He made his case at the Caps' development camp in July, and he'll try to do likewise at their rookie camp beginning Sept. 6.

"I always think I can do better, but I think did pretty well down there (at the summer camp)," Broda said. "And I think they're happy.

"It's going to come down to (training) camp. They'll see how I've improved over the summer, and that I've gotten better. I'll just go down to camp and try to make the squad."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REMAINDER OF THE ARTICLE IN THE PRINCE ALBERT DAILY HERALD Sphere: Related Content

CAPITALS ANNOUNCE DATES FOR ROOKIE AND TRAINING CAMP

The Washington Capitals have announced that the 2009 rookie camp and training camp will again be held at at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va.

Rookie camp will kick off on Monday, Sept. 7. And it will end with a road game against the Philadelphia Flyers rookies at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, at Virtua Center Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, N.J. This is the third straight year that Washington rookies will play Philadelphia rookies prior to training camp. The game is open to the public and free of charge.

Veterans will report to training camp on Saturday, Sept. 12, and will be available for interviews and photographs at Kettler Capitals Iceplex that day. On-ice training camp activities will begin on Sunday, Sept. 13. Sphere: Related Content

CANADIANS TO HOST CAPS AT BELL CENTER INSTEAD OF OLYMPIC STADIUM

When the Montreal Canadiens host the Washington Capitals on Nov. 28, the game will be played at the Bell Centre, not at 70,000-seat Olympic Stadium.



A plan to move the Nov. 28 game against the Washington Capitals from the Bell Centre as part of the Canadiens' centenary celebrations received approval from the National Hockey League's competition committee at the June entry draft in Montreal. But with the Montreal Alouettes anticipated to make a deep run in the Canadian Football League playoffs, the Canadiens decided that there was not enough time to set up the Big O for a hockey game, according to canada.com.

"The NHL requires at least seven days to construct a rink and build up the ice surface," according to a report in cbcsports.ca.

The last possible home game the Alouettes could play at Olympic Stadium would be on Nov. 22 in an Eastern final. Sphere: Related Content

WASHINGTON CAPITALS CONTINUE EFFORTS TO SUPPORT AREA COMMUNITIES

Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, defenseman Brian Pithier and members of the Caps front office all participated in the annual D.C. Public Schools Beautification Day project on Aug. 22. And the team announced that they will continue, for the third straight year, a Capitals Hockey School program with sessions for groups of 100 to 150 fifth to eighth graders.

On Beautification Day, the Capitals, their fans and other volunteers helped spruce up schools for the upcoming school year -- and planted flowers, mulched, painted, cleaned out old books and assembled goody bags for students.



"This is important for kids to see that people care about them and their schools," explained Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau.

And the Capitals, through the Hockey School Program, in the past two years have hosted 20 clinics that reached 2,500 students in the Washington, D.C. area. This year, between September and May, Caps coaches, players, Slapshot and team representatives will continue the program -- which includes an interactive floor hockey clinic and a question and answer session with Caps representatives. Sphere: Related Content

INFANT SON OF CAPITALS' GOALTENDER DIES

The 2-month-old son of Washington Capitals' goaltender Jose Theodore had died, the Washington Capitals confirmed on Thursday.

"We are aware of the heartbreaking news," said general manager George McPhee in a statement. "At this time we ask that everyone respects the privacy of Jose and his family."

The goalie's sister-in-law, Veronique Cloutier, made the announcement during her show on a Montreal radio station, but did not provide details. Veronique Cloutier's sister, Stephanie, is married to Theodore.

Theodore's son was believed to have been born two months premature, The Washington Post reports, citing that the information was revealed by a friend of Theodore's. The boy had been hospitalized with respiratory complications since birth and died last week, the Post revealed.

Theodore and Stephanie Cloutier also have a three-year-old daughter, Romy. Sphere: Related Content

WASHINGTON CAPITALS WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEAUTIFICATION DAY

Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau, defenseman Brian Pothier and members of the Capitals front office will participate in D.C. Public Schools Beautification Day on Saturday, Aug 22.

The DCPS Beautification Day is part of a nationwide United We Serve program which is a joint initiative between the White House and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Fans are encouraged to volunteer along with the Capitals and to participate in the event. The Capitals will be hosting projects at Emery Education Campus in Northeast Washington and King Elementary School in Southeast Washington.

The Capitals and volunteers "will help spruce up the schools for the upcoming school year and will be planting flowers, mulching, painting, cleaning and assembling goody bags for students," it is detailed on the team's website.

Volunteers can register by following a link on the Capitals website, and the team reports that each fan who signs up to help will receive a free Caps t-shirt. Also, the team reports that volunteers will receive additional information about the project after they register and select either the Emery Education Campus or King Elementary School as their service location. Sphere: Related Content

WASHINGTON CAPITALS COACH BOUDREAU MAKING A PITCH

Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau will throw out the first pitch for the Nationals Thursday. Sphere: Related Content

WASHINGTON CAPITALS -- CLICK TO WIN IS BACK FOR ITS THIRD SEASON

The Washington Capitals have always been known a team devoted to its fans and always eager to help raise money for charities.

Now comes word that Caps Care Click to Win is back again for its third season.

Click to win is an initiative that gives local schools the chance to win a Capitals player visit, a team mascot visit, cash prizes and Caps autographed memorabilia.

Last year the Washington Capitals Charities granted $27,000 to 36 local schools. And during the 2009-10 season that amount was increased to $31,500 will be donated to 45 schools throughout the Washington Metropolitan area.

The Capitals say that schools can register online at WashingtonCaps.com by submitting a photo with a descriptive caption of their students “Rocking the Red” and showing their Caps spirit. Each month between September and May, five schools will have their photos posted on WashingtonCaps.com. Those schools each will receive a $500 grant from Washington Capitals Charities. Students, school faculty and fans will then be able to vote for the school they think is most deserving of an additional $1,000 grant. The school with the most votes each month will win a total of $1,500.

Also, the school with the most votes overall at the end of the program will get a player visit and a Capitals team-signed jersey to display at the school.

Further details are available at the Capitals website. Sphere: Related Content

AHL Names Rod Pasma New Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operations

The American Hockey League named Rod Pasma as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations on Monday.

"We are very excited to be able to bring someone of Rod's experience and background in to lead our hockey operations department," said AHL president David Andrews in a prepared statement.

Pasma was selected in the second round, 30th overall, by the Washington Capitals back in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Sphere: Related Content

UPPER DECK SIGNS CAPITALS' ALEX OVECHKIN TO EXCLUSIVE AUTOGRAPH DEAL

Upper Deck, exclusive provider of NHL licensed hockey cards, has launched their 2009-10 campaign with the announcement that they have signed Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin to an exclusive autograph deal!

A likeness of two-time Hart Trophy winner Ovechckin will be on Upper Deck packages and exclusive autographs will be inserted into all sets release, revealed Upper Deck. Ovechkin, who was the number 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, was named the NHL Rookie of the Year for the 2005-06 season, and has earned back-to-back league MVP trophies for the past two seasons.

“Alexander has distinguished himself as a proven superstar in the NHL in just a few short years,” said Upper Deck Chief Operating Officer Bernd Becker. “The sky is the limit with a player of his caliber in terms of what his legacy will be and hockey fans realize that. To be able to deliver exclusive content of this international icon is a coup for Upper Deck and something our collectors can get excited about.”

Upper Deck produces some spectacular looking cards – and Ovechkin cards will likely become favorites with collectors Sphere: Related Content

CAPITALS SELLING COURAGE CAPS TO HELP CHILDREN WHO ARE FIGHTING CANCER

The Washington Capitals are reminding folks just what true courage is -- and are asking for fan help as they raise funds to help children who are fighting cancer.

During the upcoming season the team will sell Courage Caps and "100% of the sale price will benefit CureSearch, a non-profit based in Bethesda that unites the Children's Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation through a shared mission to cure and prevent childhood and adolescent cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care."

Courage Caps can be purchased for $20 at the community relations table at Capitals home games and online at WashingtonCaps.com. The team says that a limited number of autographed Courage Caps will be available. And for $50 fans can buy a hat signed by Olie Kolzig or Alex Ovechkin -- and for $30 buy a hat signed by any other individual Capitals player. Sphere: Related Content

JOSE THEODORE IS NUMBER 1 GOALTENDER GOING INTO TRAINING CAMP SAYS CAPITALS' COACH BOUDREAU

“Right now, Jose (Theodore) is the No. 1 guy, and the other two young men have got to come in and play the way they did last year and try to push him out,” Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau.

“Jose won (32) games for us last year, and like the year before when Cristobal Huet got hot down the stretch, Varly (Semyon Varlamov) came in and did a great job where we just couldn’t take him out.”

When Boudreau referred to “the other two young men,” he was speaking of Varlamov and also Michal Neuvirth.

The question on folks’ minds has been how Semyon Varlamov, who excelled in 2009 NHL playoffs and ended the season as the number one goaltender, would be ranked going into training camp. But unless things change, it appears that Theordore has nailed the top spot -- at least for now.

Varlamov had replaced Theodore in the first round of the playoffs and impressed during the Capitals’ come-from-behind victory over the New York Rangers.

When Quebec native Theodore heard Boudreau's remarks, he appeared not surprised according to The Washington Post. "I don’t see myself as a backup,” Theodore was quoted. “My frame of mind was to enter the season as the number one guy. (Whether) or not that was the case, that was going to be my approach. We all know in hockey, number one is only a title. It’s still on the ice that you have to earn your points Sphere: Related Content

CAPITALS' ERIC FEHR BACK ON THE ICE

There is an article in the Winnipeg Sun today, written by Paul Friesen, that strikes a cord, touches the heart.

A bit of the article is here, and the remainder of it can be read at the Sun site -- a link provided below. It is well worth reading.





Eric Fehr felt like a kid in a candy store yesterday, all because he was allowed to strap on the blades and hit the ice -- for the first time in four months.

It was a far cry from not being able to feed or dress himself, which is where the 23-year-old was in May.

"It was awful," Fehr told the Sun yesterday. "I was lucky I had my wife, who's a nurse. So she was able to take care of me 24 hours a day."

Back then, both of Fehr's shoulders were in slings, after surgery to repair torn labrums, the tissue that helps keep the shoulder joint stable.

The product of Winkler suffered the injuries in separate games with the NHL's Washington Capitals last season -- his left shoulder in January, the right one in the second round of the playoffs.

The former first-round draft pick still managed to record career highs of 12 goals and 13 assists in 61 games, finally finding his range after three seasons split between the NHL and AHL.

But after the Caps fell to Pittsburgh in Game 7 of Round 2, Fehr had a decision to make: have surgery on one shoulder this year, another next summer -- or bite the bullet and do both.

He bit.

And in the middle of May, Fehr reverted to being a baby again.

At least, that's what his wife said.

"You really can't use your arms for anything," he said. "I couldn't feed myself or do anything for the first two or three days. You need your arms for everything. Just opening a door, I couldn't do."

The link below will take you to the entire article.


Shouldering the load Sphere: Related Content

ARTURS IRBE NEW GOALTENDING COACH FOR WASHINGTON CAPITALS

The Washington Capitals have hired Arturs Irbe as goaltending coach, according to vice president and general manager George McPhee today.

Irbe replaces Dave Prior, a 12-year veteran with the team, who resigned to spend more time with his family. This will be Irbe's first stint as an NHL assistant.

The 42-year-old Irbe, a native of Riga, Latvia, was goaltending coach for his hometown Dinamo Riga last season in the Kontinental Hockey League. He also has experience with the Latvian national team which he represented in the 2002 and 2006 Olympics.

In fact, Irbe has a connection to the Capitals in that he is a former teammate of assistant coach Dean Evason when both were players with the San Jose Sharks from 1991-93.

Irbe is a 13-year NHL veteran, having played for San Jose, Dallas, Vancouver and Carolina. He played in 568 games and compiled a career record of 218-236-79 while appearing in NHL All-Star Games in 1994 and 1999.

His final NHL season came in 2003-04, and he wound up his career with a 2.83 goals-against average and an .899 save percentage.

After leaving the NHL, Irbe played professionally in Europe and retired completely after appearing in six games with Slovakia's HK Nitra in 2006-07.

Irbe, who is fluent in English, Latvian, Russian and also speaks some German, was selected in the 10th round, 196 overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. He completed five years with the San Jose organization and made his NHL debut in the 1991-92 season when he appeared in 13 games.

Irbe playedd in 74 games for the Sharks during 1993-94 and set an NHL record, since broken, by playing 4,412 minutes in the regular season. He spent the 1996-97 season with Dallas and the 1997-98 season with Vancouver before joining Carolina for the final six years of his career.

Irbe also played more than 50 games in each of his firsst four seasons with the Hurricanes. He posted career-best marks in GAA (2.22) and in save percentage (.923) during the 1998-99 season, his first with Carolina. He played a career high 77 games during the 2000-01 season, and a year later he helped lead Carolina to the Stanley Cup final. Sphere: Related Content

JOE FINLEY PLEADS NOT GUILY TO DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND GIVING FALSE INFORMATION TO OFFICERS

Joe Finley, just days after leaving the Washington Capitals development camp, was charged with disorderly conduct and giving false information to officers. And on Tuesday Finley answered those misdemeanor charges by pleading not guilty, according to StarTribune.com.

The incident allegedly involved Finley and a friend throwing items, including a lawnmower, kitchen table, glassware and other items into a street -- which disrupted traffic flow while clean-up crews cleared the items from the street.

Finley, a first-round NHL draft pick of the Washington Capitals in 2005, in April signed a two-year contract with Washington and was assigned to the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.

Matt Frattin, Finley's friend, earlier pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with the incident and was given aa 10-day suspended sentence, wrote startribune. He was handed a two-game suspension next season, and University of North Dakota reduced his student aid and ordered him to get counseling. Frattin was a draft choice of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was North Dakota's third-leading scorer last season as a sophomore with 13 goals. Sphere: Related Content

NATIONALS' NYJER MORGAN THINKS SMART

The Washington Nationals are doing okay -- and there are some fans who give a lot of credit for this to Nyjer Morgan. This was the subject of an article by Tracee Hamilton, The Washington Post -- which called attention to the fact that before Morgan joined the team, the Nats were 21st in the majors in runs scored, but since Morgan arrived they have escalated to third.

Impressive -- but what does this have to do with hockey -- and the Capitals?

Well, the connection is that Morgan loves hockey -- has since back in the days when he was a youngster watching the U.S. hockey team at the Calgary Games. He even took a stab at playing hockey before settling with the Pirates' minor-league team.

But what is particularly endearing about Morgan is his answer when asked who is the better player -- the Capitals' Alex Ovechkin or the Penguins' Sidney Crosby.

Morgan will be forgiven for diplomatically answering, "They're both good, two different players."

It is the rest of Morgan's answer that impresses!

Morgan, in continuing with his response, said, "One's more exciting than the other."

Which one?

His reply, "Ovechkin. He gives something that the fans like to see!"

Now that sounds like the correct answer, at least to Capitals and Ovi fans! Sphere: Related Content

MIKE GREER GOES TO SABRES

Mike Greer, a 34-year-old unrestricted free agent who was once on the Washington Capitals team, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, according to Canada.com.

Grier was a member of the Sabres from 2004-06 after being acquired in a trade from the Washington Capitals. Last season in San Jose, Grier missed twenty games with a knee injury, but still recorded 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 62 games.

In 914 career games with the Capitals, Edmonton Oilers, Sabres and Sharks, Grier posted a record of 147 goals and 198 assists for 345 points. Sphere: Related Content

CAPS FRANCHISE OWNER TED LEONSIS TELLS BARRONS THAT HE EXPECTS NUMBERS OF REVOLUTION CARDHOLDERS TO INCREASE SIGNIFICANTLY

Washington Capitals franchise owner Ted Leonsis says that Revolution, a new player in “plastic land”, is on track to escalate its number of cardholders from the current 700,000 cardholders to about 11 million by 2011, according to Barrons.com.

The RevolutionCard, which may someday rival Visa, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal, is attempting to attract merchants with dramatically low transaction fees. Merchants generally pay about 4 percent of each transation, but Revolution charges a significantly lower 0.5 percent, explained Leonsis to Barrons. And merchants are said to be offering cardholders instant rebates and free merchandise.

While Leonsis is listed as a company founder, also associated with Revolution is Leonsis’ America Online buddy Steve Case who sits on the Revolution Board.

“Case and I are accustomed to attacking entrenched, older, tech-oriented businesses,” Leonsis told Barrons.

Other board members include former American Express CEO James Robinson, along with Franklin Raines who about five years ago took an “early retirement” from Fannie Moe. Barrons lists Revolution “bankrollers” as including such heavyweights as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup.”

Company president Jason Hogg also revealed that the RevolutionCard contains no visible customer information on it.

Although many major retailers do accept RevolutionCard, Barrons did explain that currently it is not possible to rent a car or buy an airline ticket with it. Of course, that could change as the card gains wider acceptance and popularity. Sphere: Related Content

WASHINGTON CAPITALS' OWN "SURVIVORMAN" BRENDAN MORRISON

Washington Capitals Brendan Morrison is an expert in survival skills on the ice, but soon he will be face an entirely new and daunting survival challenge.

Capitals center Morrison will be among a group of current and former NHL players who trade hockey sticks and their relatively plush living to face a three-day "torture test" in wilderness surrounding Ontario's Hornepayne. The challenge is the brainchild of Survivorman television star Les Strout. The 33-year old Morrison is a native of Pitt Meadows in British Columbia, Canada.



The Survivorman Challenge will be filmed and is expected to raise money to refurbish the Hornepayne arena, where King learned to skate.

"He just thinks the fact that we're spoiled hockey players, that he's going to have a heck of a lot of fun with us," said Kris King, a Hornepayne native who spent 14 seasons playing in the NHL.

Strout will provide players with a brief survival class in the Hornepayne High School gym, toss them a copy of his book "Survive!" and cut them loose for two nights and much of three days. Among the items that will not be provided to the participants for their Aug. 14-16 endeavor are food or water.

"We're going to have to make our own shelter, make our own fires, find our own food," said King. "When you leave Hornepayne and you move to the Muskokas your bones tend to forget how cold things can really get."

"Hockey players are a tough crew," said free agent and participant Brad May. "I am sure they will do well in the challenges that Les dishes up for them. I've told the other players that this will be the ultimate camping experience, so everyone is excited for it. We hope corporations will get on board and people will join us at the event -- and they may see themselves on the TV special."

Besides Morrison and King, other participants will be free agents Brad May and Andrew Peters, Alex Ponikarovsky of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Steve Montador of the Buffalo Sabres and Avalanche strength coach Chris Butler.

King, who is senior vice-president of hockey operations in Toronto, has for several years been involved in fund-raising efforts to benefit the Hornepayne area. He feels that the event will give the Hornepayne (population 1,200) "that proverbial little shot in the arm that sometimes these little towns need that sort of get lost in the shuffle because they're just so far away and so small."

King hails from Bracebridge, but spent his formative years in Hornepayne.

The 43-year-old King explained that while he was in Hornepayne several years ago with some hockey buddies, he realized the plight of the arena where he learned to skate. "The kids were having to go to White River and Hearst and Mattice to rent ice for the hockey season because their dehumidifier conked out and they couldn't make ice," he explained.

"Being in Toronto and being 14 hours away by car, it was kind of hard to get things going initially," he continued. "But we got a real caring group of locals who got on board and we were able to get a grant from Trillium for some improvements and more money from Hydro One. With those two grants, we were able to purchase a new dehumidifier an have it installed."

The final challenge of the event "should see them emerge into the town of Hornepayne for a celebratory BBQ." No doubt, the hockey players will arrive hungry and ready for some really good eating!

"This is about testing peoples' limits while raising money for a community in need," said Stroud. "We hope to make this an annual event." Sphere: Related Content

WASHINGTON RED ROCKERS AUDITIONS

Day One of Red Rockers Auditions



Day Two of Auditions



Day Three of Auditions

Sphere: Related Content

SIMEON IS NOW SEMYON

"Fun notification just received from the Caps:," Tweeted USA Today hockey writer Kevin Allen earlier this week. "Simeon Varlamov now wants his first name spelled 'Semyon.'" (End of message)

At first blush, the thought came to mind that Varlamov might want the name change to hide from the American ladies he offended in an interview with Ok! Magazine -- an interview in which, according to japersrink, he was quoted as saying, "It's difficult to look at a lot of the local women. You get the feeling that (they) just don't take care of themselves! There are an awful lot of heavyset ones. But Russian girls have nice trim figures. I couldn't imagine myself being with an American girl."

But it seems that Semyon, formerly known in America as Simeon, indeed wanted the spelling change prior to the Ok! interview since there was an additional video of Varlamov with his Russian girlfriend -- carrying the printed words, "Semyon Varlamov and Girlfriend Dasha."

Anyway, at his tender age of 21, perhaps the American ladies can cut Varlamov some slack and consider him misguided in his judgment of local ladies. Hopefully he will learn that there are many wonderful American girls.

No matter -- the topic today is Varlamov's name. It is now "Semyon" -- no longer Simeon.

Sphere: Related Content

RUMOR -- ARE CAPITALS INTERESTED IN NIKOLAI ZHERDEV?

"Despite all the speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs have interest in signing the offensively gifted Nikolai Zherdev, USA Today's Kevin Allen is reporting that Toronto GM Brian Burke has told him that he has 'no interest' in signing Zherdev," reports Jack Porter of bleacherreport.

On Twitter Allen posted, "Talked to Brian Burke and he said he has no interest in signing Zherdev. Also, I have the impression he won't be dealing Kaberle."

But the Washington Capitals are rumored to be interested in Zherdev reports Porter.

"The Rangers have walked -- no, run -- away from the $3.9 million an arbiter awarded Nikolai Zherdev, granting the Ukrainian winger unrestricted free agency and freeing the Rangers to devote that money toward other positions of need -- like, say, center," reported nydailynews on Wednesday. Zherdev rejected the Rangers' $3.5 million qualifying offer a couple of months ago and instead reportedly wanted something closer to $4.5 million.

Porter opined, "The Caps are looking to make a move that would open up the necessary salary cap space to ink Zherdev. One can see this as a very good opportunity for GM Brian Burke to convert his excess of defensemen into some picks and prospects and maybe a little offense. Washington's primary goal is to shed salary, but you'd have to think they would love the shed salary and pick up some much needed help on the backend."

Zherdev--RW ... "is an unbelievable talent," opined senior writer Bryan Thiel also of bleacher. "The unfortunate thing is that he's also got an unbelievable attitude. Known as one of the biggest non-injury related underachievers in the NHL today. Zherdev has all of the tools needed to be a great player and his attitude towards the game overall has hurt himself in the eyes of a lot of NHL management and coaches. Many think that a hard-nose, defensive coach would solve Zherdev's problems, but I'm not so sure. If the over/under on him going to KHL is 3 1/2 seasons, I'll take the under."

There have also circulated rumors that Zherdev might head back to Russia to play for the KHL, but thoughts are that he would rather play in the NHL.

Sphere: Related Content

CAPITAL AREA CAREER FAIR -- COME WATCH CAPITALS PROSPECTS PRACTICE WHILE YOU ARE THERE!

The Capital Area Career Fair is scheduled to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, according to a notice on the Washington Capitals website.

But apparently the event is not only a chance for job-seekers to place their resumes with some area companies, but the notice highlights that attendees, who must register to ensure space, can also "watch the Capitals prospects" while they are there! Sphere: Related Content

ALEXANDRE GIROUX RETURNS TO HERSHEY!

Left wing Alexandre Giroux has signed for the coming season with 2009 Calder Cup Champion Hershey Bears, it was announced by the club today. No doubt Bears fans will applaud the return of their superstar!

Giroux was an unrestricted free agent and signed a one-year, two-way deal, according to sources. His NHL salary will reportedly be $500,000.

The 28-year-old Giroux returns to Chocolatetown after what has been hailed as "the greatest goal-scoring season in American Hockey League history!" Giroux established a Hershey club record in 2008-09 by scoring 60 goals in a single season, and then he followed that with 15 additional goals in 22 postseason games enroute to the 10th Calder Cup championship. The 75 goals scored are the most ever scored by a single AHL player in one regular season and postseason combined.

Giroux additionally logged the longest goal scoring streak in league history on January 18th of last season when he garnered at least one goal in 15 consecutive games, breaking the previous record of 14 straight that was held by NHL giant Brett Hull.

Overall, Giroux scored 60 goals in 69 games for Hershey, adding 37 assists for a total of 97 points, winning the league's scoring title. In addition, he played in 12 games for the Washington Capitals during 2008-09, scoring one goal and assisting on another. The 15 goals scored during the 2009 postseason stands as another Hershey record, as the most goals scored by a single player in one playoff year. Three of those 15 goals came on May 30th when he capped off a hat trick in Game 1 of Calder Cup Finals by scoring the game-winning marker in sudden-death overtime. His final goal of the 2009 postseason was in the first period of Hershey's Game 6 when he scored a breakaway against Moose goaltender Cory Schneider.

"Alexandre Giroux was so important to our team's success last year both on and off the ice," enthused Bears President/GM Doug Yingst. "For our organization, for our fans and for this region, we could not be happier that he chose to return next season."

Giroux, a Quebec City native, brings 22 games of NHL experience to Hershey in the fall -- with stints both in Washington and with the New York Rangers. Dating back to his Bears debut during the 2006-07 season, Giroux has scored 116 goals while wearing a Hershey uniform in just 160 games played, capturing 24th rank all-time in franchise history.

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CAPITALS' VARLAMOV HAS A "TRUE LOVE", HAPPY NEWS -- BUT HIS COMMENTS ABOUT AMERICAN LADIES WILL LIKELY NOT WIN HIM ANY OF THEIR HEARTS

Generally, American ladies take special pleasure in reading romantic love stories. And they might very well smile upon learning that Washington Capitals' goalie Russian Simeon Varlamov feels "extremely fortunate" to have met a Russian girl who is his one "true love."

But the smile of those American ladies is likely to turn upside down when they read what the 21-year old goalie, born in Samara, Russia, told Ok! Magazine about American women, a translation of which is provided by Japersrink.

When asked whether he had admirers, Varlamov answered, "I have a true love, so I don't look at any other women. You know, I'm extremely fortunate that I met a Russian girl in America. It's difficult to look at a lot of the local women. You get the feeling that (they) just don't take care of themselves! There are an awful lot of heavyset ones. But Russian girls have nice trim figures. I couldn't imagine myself being with an American girl."

A video of Varlamov with his Russian girlfriend Dasha.

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OVI REVEALS A SECRET TO HIS SUCCESS -- SEX BEFORE AND AFTER GAMES

Washington Capitals' superstar Alex Ovechkin has confided what he believes is a help to his game. His answer -- sex, before and after.

Ovechkin was asked by Russia Today reporter Sophie Shevardnadze what he missed most in playing so many miles from home. Ovechkin, not one to dodge questions, responded, "I miss my friends, of course; the Russian language and surely our beauties. There are pretty girls (in America), but still ... Russians are Russians."

Then, when questioned as to whether sex before a game is a good idea, he continued with his candid response. "Sex really helps actually," he said -- and then added, "Before and after." Sphere: Related Content

COACH BOUDREAU DENIES NYLANDER'S REMARKS

Coach Bruce Boudreau has denied telling center Michael Nylander that he "wasn't good enough" to play for the Capitals, reports the Washington Post's Capitals Insider.

"I didn't speak to Boudreau directly -- he's running his Golden Horseshoe hockey school in St. Catherines, Ontario, this week -- but he issued a brief statement through a team spokesman," the Post article related. And then Boudreau is then quoted as stating, "I do not have any recollection of saying that to Michael. That's not my style, and not something I would say."

But Nylander, according to an article from Aftonbladet quoted on Jaspersrink, said, "He (Boudreau) told me he didn't think I was good enough. That's pretty straight-forward to me." The Russian translation, according to the article, reads similarly -- "He has told me that I am not good enough. A pretty clear message.")

Nylander is further quoted: "I want to switch teams, but it's not exactly easy. My deal is signed, I can't lower my salary. It'll be hard to fit in within the salary cap of some teams, and I want to make sure I'd fit in with the team as well. We'll see what happens, but at this point, I don't know."

Boudreau Disputes Nylander's Comments

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OVECHKIN AMONG NHL STARS INVITED TO RUSSIAN OLYMPIC CAMP -- ALSO AMONG INVITEES ARE CAPITALS' SIMEON VARLAMOV AND ALEX SEMIN

Nineteen NHL players and an equal number from the Continental Hockey League (KHL) are expected to attend Russia's Olympic summer orientation camp scheduled to open later this month in Moscow, according to the Russian Ice Hockey Federation on Monday.

Among the hopefuls for Russia are Washington Capitals megastar Alex Ovechkin, along with Capitals teammates Alexander Semin and Simeon Varlamov. Ovechkin and Semin are expected to easily make the team, but Varlamov will have to overtake more experienced goalies to capture a spot. (Also announced, Capitals' Milan Jurcina has been invited to Slovakia's camp.)

In addition to Ovechkin, other headliners at the camp are expected to include Atlanta Thrashers' Ilya Kovalchuk and Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin.

Three of four goaltenders invited hail from NHL -- Capitals' Varlamov, along with Phoenix Coyotes Ilya Bryzgalov and San Jose Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov. And Capitals' Alexander Semin is among forward invitees.

Also on the Russian list are Canadian NHL defensemen expected to participate are Edmonton Oilers' Denis Grebeshkov, Ottawa Senators' Anton Volchenkov and Montreal Canadiens' Andrei Markov; along with forwards Senator' Alex Kovalev and Toronto's Nikolai Kulemin.

Russian summer camp invitees:

Goalkeepers: Ilya Bryzgalov (Phoenix Coyotes, NHL), Alexander Eremenko (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose Sharks, NHL), Simeon Varlamov (Washington Capitals, NHL).

Defencemen: Vitali Atyushov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk, RUS), Sergei Gonchar (Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL), Denis Grebeshkov (Edmonton Oilers, NHL), Dmitri Kalinin (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Maxim Kondratiev (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Konstantin Korneyev (CSKA Moscow, RUS), Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens, NHL), Ilya Nikulin (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS), Vitali Proshkin (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Oleg Tverdovsky (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Fedor Tyutin (Columbus Blue Jackets, NHL), Vitali Vishnevsky (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, RUS), Anton Volchenkov (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Alexei Zhitnik (Dynamo Moscow, RUS), Sergei Zubov (SKA St. Petersburg, KHL),

Forwards: Evgeny Artyukhin (Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL), Maxim Afinogenov (Buffalo Sabres, NHL), Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings, NHL), Sergei Fedorov (Metallurg Magnitogorsk, RUS), Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings, NHL), Konstantin Gorovikov (SKA St. Petersburg, RUS), Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta Thrashers, NHL), Alexei Kovalev (Ottawa Senators, NHL), Viktor Kozlov (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL), Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL), Alexei Morozov (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS), Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals, NHL), Alexander Radulov (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS), Oleg Saprykin (Dynamo Moscow, RUS), Alexander Semin (Washington Capitals, NHL), Alexei Tereschenko (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS), Danis Zaripov (Ak Bars Kazan, RUS), Sergei Zinoviev (Salavat Yulayev Ufa, RUS).

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DAVE FAY MEMORIAL GAME RAISED NEARLY $10,000

The third annual Dave Fay Memorial hockey game, held on Saturday, July 25th, raised almost $10,000 for the NHL's Hockey Fights Cancer program, the Washington Capitals announced today. The game is held annually in honor of Dave Fay, a Washington Times beat reporter who died of cancer.

Capitals defenseman Brian Pothier dropped the ceremonial first puck in the game held at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Sponsored in part by The Front Page restaurant and Sports Page deli, together with annual Put Cancer on Ice (PCOI) sponsor Mirant Mid-Atlantic, this year's game featured Capitals alumni Yvon Labre, Gary Rissling and Ken Sabourin, along with Capitals mascot Slapshot who guest refereed the first period duel between celebrity guest goalies, Miss Virginia Tara Wheeler and Capitals radio broadcaster Steve Kolbe. Kolbe won the head-to-head contest, giving up two goals to Wheeler's three during the first period. However, the Virginia squad prevailed by winning 9-7 and claiming Lord Brown's boot.

The event's silent auction featured a Washington Capitals autographed team jersey that sold for $475, along with an Alexander Semin autographed puck that fetched $120 and a Mike Green autographed puck that brought $100.

PCOI is a grass-roots group comprised of Washington Capitals hockey fans who get together for monthly pick-up hockey games in a Maryland vs. Virginia format.

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