Haley Skarupa at the Caps championship parade in 2018. (Caps Outsider)
The Caps have named Rockville native and former Olympian – and gold medal winner – Haley Skarupa as the team’s Hockey Ambassador, where she will assist with the team’s efforts to give hockey a boost to children across the region.
“We are excited to welcome Haley as our new Hockey Ambassador to our organization,” said Caps owner Ted Leonsis. “Her talent on the ice and her dedication to engaging participants in the sport make her a terrific role model for aspiring athletes. Over the past several years, we have seen a tremendous increase in youth hockey participation across the area and we believe her addition will continue to spur growth among young participants.”
[Haley Skarupa talks Caps, doughnuts and playing hockey with the boys]
“I’m extremely excited to join the Capitals organization,” Skarupa said. “I grew up playing hockey in the area, so this opportunity to come back and develop the game around the region is incredibly special. The Capitals have done such an amazing job growing this sport for boys and girls and I’m excited to use my experience and background to continue making a difference in the community and beyond.”
According to the press release:
Skarupa will work with the team’s youth hockey department to drive growth across the sport. Skarupa will establish additional female programming that encompasses both street hockey and on-ice sessions. In addition, she will work to enhance the Capitals’ existing initiatives across youth and high school hockey, as well as serve as the team’s core liaison with USA hockey.
Other things about her:
- Skarupa was drafted by the National Women’s Hockey League’s New York Riveters with the ninth pick overall in the 2015 NWHL Draft and has played three seasons in the league.
- Skarupa served as director of Boston Junior Whalers Hockey, coaching youth hockey players in various premiere and select tournaments in Massachusetts. She also served as a skills development coach for Eagles Elite Sports, coaching youth hockey players in clinics, camps and private skills sessions throughout the New England region.
- Skarupa received a degree in psychology from Boston College, where she played four seasons on the women’s division 1 team.
The Capitals will celebrate the IIHF World Girls’ Hockey Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 5, with two free Washington Capitals Girls Hockey Clinics hosted by Skarupa. The clinics will take place at MedStar Capitals Iceplex and are open to female hockey players ages 8-18. For more information and to register, click here.
Haley during Caps Media Fantasy Camp.
