(photos via the Caps)
February is Black History Month and the Washington Capitals announced initiatives Tuesday to commemorate Black Hockey History. According to the Caps, these initiatives are aligned with the organization’s mission to grow the game and advocate for equality in hockey. Throughout the month of February, many events are planned to feature specific programs and promote diversity.
- The Caps will announce the beneficiaries of their Capital Impact Fund which designates funds to organizations that can help in eliminating cost barriers faced by local players. Not only does the fund help minority youth players, it ensures that anyone who wants to participate in any aspect of the game of hockey will be encouraged and able to do so. If you would like to donate to the Impact Fund, please visit WashCaps.com.
- On Wednesday, February 2, the Caps will host the Edmonton Oilers. During the game, the Caps will reveal a permanent Black History Hockey display. Located at section 116 on the concourse, the display will include a timeline featuring Black players and key moments in Caps history, memorabilia from those players, a warm-up jersey featuring a Players Against Hate shoulder patch and an interactive QR code that takes fans to washcaps.com/blackhockey for more information. The Caps worked with HKD Sports, a local design firm, on the display.
- The Caps, in conjunction with Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation, launched a Fort DuPont Ice Hockey Club online merchandise shop which opened in January. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the Fort DuPont Cannons and the Washington Capitals Capital Impact Fund. To check out the merchandise go to WashCaps.com/FortDupontApparel. The store will be open until Feb.28.
- Also in January, the Capitals hosted the NHL’s Black Hockey History Truck Tour. It is a mobile museum that visited two Washington, D.C., region ice rinks from Jan. 21-22. The 525-square foot museum, presented by American Legacy, presents 200 years of Black achievement in hockey. The Black Hockey History Tour launched in 2019 and will visit 28 cities across North America in 2022.
- To culminate Black Hockey History Month, the Caps Feb. 28 game vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs marks the organization’s Black History Night presented by Capital One. Caps players will wear special black warm-up jerseys featuring the Capitals logo and a Fort Dupont Cannons shoulder patch. The jerseys will be signed and auctioned off to benefit the Capital Impact Fund.
For more information on the Caps and NHL initiatives, visit the Capitals Black Hockey site. The site contains detailed player biographies of Black athletes who have played with the organization. The site contains information on youth programs throughout the region and links to resource materials on Black Hockey.
