Charity

Tom Wilson Hangs With Fall Puck Surprise Winners

Photo via @MSEFndn

While Caps fans were awed by a 3-2 shootout victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday at Verizon Center, it wasn’t the only excitement at hand. It was also the annual Fall Puck Surprise to benefit the Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation. MSE supports the charitable efforts of the Capitals (Caps Care), Mystics and Wizards throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Ted Leonsis is the founder, chairman, majority owner and CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment.

For $40, fans had the opportunity to purchase a hockey puck adorned with yummy Hershey’s Kisses. Pucks were limited to two per fan. All but five pucks were signed by one of the Caps players. The big surprise was that five fans unknowingly purchased unsigned pucks. Those lucky fans got the opportunity to meet Caps right wing Tom Wilson and he personally signed their pucks after the game.

“I bought a puck because it was a good cause,” said Adam Froemming of Alexandria, VA. while holding his new collector’s item signed by Jay Beagle. “I wanted to buy one in the past but the lines were too long. I finally got one but it’s
more about helping the community.”

Carter Bonderant and his dad chose a puck signed by Braden Holtby. “I wanted to buy a puck for a good cause,” the youngster said holding his puck proudly.

This year’s Fall Puck Surprise winners were Brian Lashier, Melanie and Debbie Turner, Lynn Brownell, Jason Bobrow and Kate and Anne Jamison.

When asked why he wanted to be a part of the Fall Puck Surprise, Wilson said, “It’s a great opportunity. It’s great to be able to come out and meet the fans.”

Due to NHL lockout in 2012, the last Fall Puck Surprise was held on Oct. 10 2011 when the Caps played the Tampa Bay Lightning. That year, the five winners of the unsigned pucks got to meet, then Caps defenseman, Roman Hamrlik after the game. Hamrlik signed their pucks and took photos with all of the winners.

The 2011 campaign raised $18,000. That year, $10,000 was donated to Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Washington, D.C., which was adopted by the Capitals for the 2011-12 season. All other proceeds benefitted various Caps charities.

This year, the campaign also raised $18,000. All 450 pucks were purchased by fans that got a cool piece of Caps memorabilia while making a donation to a good cause.

The next puck surprise will be held in the spring of 2014.

Wilson signs Melanie's puck. (Barbara Banks)
Wilson signs Melanie’s puck. (Photos by Barbara Banks)

fall puck surprise

barbara banks

Barbara Banks

Barbara Ann Banks is a freelance writer out of Rockville, MD.

Related Articles

Back to top button