A Skate Like No Other

There are many times that fans of hockey and other sports get to walk in the footsteps of those who they follow regularly. Last Tuesday, I was most graciously afforded that opportunity as a participant in the Caps' annual media skate. What started out as a chance to occupy the same Kettler ice that the Caps use regularly quickly turned into a four-on-four scrimmage. Needless to say, it was an amazing experience.

Pick-up hockey certainly is prevalent around these parts, but it usually takes place in non-distinguishable rinks around the area. The Kettler ice, while used for purposes other than the Caps, is a special place to skate. You see the same banners and painted ice as you do while watching the Caps practice, but it all seems different while actually playing. Our game was played between center ice and the near goal, and was a bit faster than anticipated.

An added bonus was, in addition to borrowed skates, I got to use a stick, a helmet (that had been worn by Ashton Rome, who was sent to Hershey's camp earlier in the day), and gloves for the occasion.

Me in hockey gear. Photo taken
by the great DC Sports Chick (of OFB).

My skills wouldn't even qualify me for the lowest-of-low minor leagues, but the experience far exceeded my lofty expectations. I've never played organized ice hockey before and hadn't even ice skated in a very long time. But it was a ton of fun and I can't wait for next year.

Thanks to Caps PR VP Nate Ewell for inviting all of us and to Fox 5's Brett Haber, Comcast SportsNet's Jill Sorenson and Mike D, Washington Times' Ted Starkey, WNST's Ed Frankovic, On Frozen Blog's John Keeley and Alex Perlmutter, Russian guru Dmitry Chesnokov, Jack Anderson from Kings of Leonsis and a few others who made the day truly memorable.

Thanks also to DC Sports Chick and CSN's Michelle Scalise, there are pictures and video from the event.