Hundreds of Caps fans came out Friday evening to attend the grand opening party for the outdoor ice rink at Rockville Town Square. They braved the cold to join former Cap and CSN sports analyst, Alan May, the Caps mascot, Slapshot, and members of the Caps’ Red Rockers spirit squad to commemorate the grand opening and kick off the 2013-2014 skate season. The event was hosted by popular Fresh FM radio personality and WJLA TV7 reporter, Tommy McFly.
The temporary 7,200 sq ft rink is the largest outdoor ice skating rink between Washington D.C. and Baltimore. The rink is disassembled in the spring to allow for outdoor programs in the warmer months.
The festivities began at 6:30 pm with the first ice skating session of the season opened to the public at 7:00 pm. The first 100 adults to purchase a skating pass received a free Rockville Town Square fleece blanket.
“I was excited to come and skate,” said Jackson Defriece of Rockville. “I also heard they were giving away Caps tickets. I was hoping for the tickets.”
Luis Martinez of Bethesda was excited to meet and have his picture taken with Alan May (below), and May loves meeting and greeting the fans.
“We all, players and broadcasters, realize how lucky we are to be a part of the NHL,” May said. “Our careers are a dream come true. Whenever we have an opportunity like this, we always get 100% of public appreciation. It’s very positive. It is quite gratifying.”
In addition to meeting the representatives from the Caps’ organization, fans were also treated to a skating performance by Michael and Rachel Parsons. The brother-sister ice dancing team, from Rockville, has been skating competitively since they were 6 or 7 years old. Rachel (15) and Michael (17) compete at the Junior level and represent the Washington Figure Skating Club and Team USA. The juvenile ice dancing team of Elizabeth Tkachenko and Alexei Kiliakov, also representing the Washington Figure Skating Club, performed for the crowd as well.
Even lovable canine charmer, Ovie the Bulldog, came out to welcome fans and take part in the festivities. Wearing his signature Caps jersey, as always, Ovie was a magnet for fans of all ages.
It was a chilly, but great evening to open the rink, start the skate season, and Rock the Red!
