Charity

Caps Rock the 2014 Casino Night

Casino Night 2014 (All Photos Credit: M. Richter)

For the fourth year, the Caps dressed up to take on all-comers at the gaming tables for charity in the 2014 Caps  Casino Night (& Auction).  For the price of a mid-level playoff ticket, fans could walk into the Pentagon City Sheraton and schmooze with their local men-in-red.  For a bit more, they also got access to the special VIP social hour held during the first hour of the event.

The event itself was a straightforward affair, combining mix-and-mingle around the tables (Poker, Blackjack, Roulette), a silent auction for Caps memorabilia (including a team-autographed guitar which sold for $2600 and a Team Sweden Backstrom jersey which brought in $1300), and a live auction for experiences with members of the team and organization.

Tonight's top-grossing item in the silent auction, signed by the entire team.
Tonight’s top-grossing item in the silent auction, signed by the entire team.

The top earner for the night was a segway tour next fall with Alzner, Backstrom, Grabovski, Kuznetsov, Orlov, and the Great 8 Alex Ovechkin, himself.  After a fierce bidding war, it eventually went for a whopping $8100.  What’s arguably more impressive is that a dinner for 10 cooked by Mike Isabella and featuring Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer as guests in the winning bidder’s kitchen.

Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer ham it up for the audience as the bids pour in.
Brooks Laich and Troy Brouwer ham it up for the audience as the bids pour in.

If you spent money tonight – on a ticket, silent auction item, or if you went all out and won one of the eight live experiences – you can feel virtuous.  All proceeds from the evening go to the Monumental Sports Entertainment Foundation, the organization that’s replaced the Caps Care organization.  While the name has changed, the recipients of the programs remain the same – initiatives like the Caps@School program, donations to groups like the Capital Area Food Bank and Fort Dupont Ice Arena’s youth hockey.

The fact that all funds will be going to the charity is the exception to the rule when it comes to Caps gear auctions – when you bid on an item up for auction on the Verizon Center concourse, the sales are handled by the team’s marketing department, so only a portion of the proceeds go to charity.  Tonight, upwards of $50,000 was raised for MSEF, with $40,500 coming from the eight live experiences in the end of the night auction (Update: Official quotes put the night’s take closer to $300,000 – great job, Caps fans!).

Below, you’ll find an assortment of photos from the evening.

Alex Ovechkin looks up from a tough round of poker to answer a question from Alan May.
Alex Ovechkin looks up from a tough round of poker to answer a question from Alan May.
Newly signed forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was in attendance tonight and tried his hand at the gaming tables, even if his name didn't make it into the program.
Newly signed forward Evgeny Kuznetsov was in attendance tonight and tried his hand at the gaming tables, even if his name didn’t make it into the program.
Tom Wilson shows off his suit, smile, and boutonnière.
Tom Wilson shows off his suit, smile, and boutonnière.
Eric Fehr and Jay Beagle discuss gaming strategy with a fan.
Eric Fehr and Jay Beagle discuss gaming strategy with a fan.
In addition to table games, there were interactive electronic non-gambling offerings, including Rock Band (as demonstrated here by two of the Red Rockers).
In addition to table games, there were interactive electronic non-gambling offerings, including Rock Band (as demonstrated here by two of the Red Rockers).
John Walton served as MC for the evening, with a bit of help from Joe Beninati.
John Walton served as MC for the evening, with a bit of help from Joe Beninati.
Alan May poses with the Brouwer Rangers, who were popular with both the crowd and the player who inspired them to don the spandex.
Alan May poses with the Brouwer Rangers, who were popular with both the crowd and the player who inspired them to don the spandex.
The night's top-grossing item, a segway tour with the majority of the team's European contingent.
The night’s top-grossing item, a segway tour with the majority of the team’s European contingent.

M. Richter

Em is a fan of hockey first and individual teams second, with geographical ties that cross the NHL. She was born in the Midwest, raised along the East Coast, and graduated from a university in Western Canada. A firm believer in context above all else, and a card-carrying on-ice official with USA Hockey, she splits her time between the big picture and the details. When not covering the AHL and ECHL for Caps Outsider, her photography can be found on Behance and Flickr. She also occasionally chimes in about the Hershey Bears on the Power Play Post Show.

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