Charity

Evgeny Kuznetsov Greets Spring Puck Surprise Winners

(Photos by Caps Outsider)

It was a sea of red, and black and yellow, as Caps’ fans mingled happily with Boston Bruins’ fans prior to the game Saturday afternoon at the Verizon Center–that is, before the first puck dropped and then it was every fan for themselves.  A traditional rivalry, for sure, but it wasn’t the only excitement at the arena. It was also the annual Spring 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 wrapped with yummy Hershey’s Kisses.  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 the Caps’ new center, Evgeny Kuznetsov. He personally signed their pucks after the game.

“I did this last time and I got Jack Hillen,” said Liz Martin of Arlington,VA. “I wanted to buy another one to see if I’d get him again.  This one will be a birthday gift for my husband.”

Jim Lough and his friends from Manassas, VA bought a puck for a good cause.

“It helps a charity and it’s a gamble to see if you’ll get an autograph you like,” said Lough holding up his new puck signed by Mike Green.

This campaign’s puck surprise winners were Joy Hampton, Danielle Kichler, Lou Costanza, Tyler Spooner and Tyler Bensten.

“I bought three pucks, one for my 5 year old nephew, his friend and me.  My nephew got Backstrom, his friend got Brouwer and I got a winning puck,” said Bensten, excited by his chance to meet Kuznetsov.

“Excellent to meet with fans,” Kuznetsov said while signing the lucky winner’s pucks.  “They give support and I have great respect for them.”

The Spring Puck Surprise campaign raised $18,000, as did the Fall Puck surprise of 2013.  All 450 pucks were purchased by lucky fans who got a cool piece of Caps memorabilia while making a donation to a very worthy cause.
Caps fans can look forward to the next puck surprise to be held in the fall of 2014.

The Caps fell to the Bruins  4 -2.  Their next game is March 30 against the Predators in Nashville.

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Barbara Banks

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

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