Alex Ovechkin Meets & Signs With ‘The Last Of Us’ Star, Deaf Player Keivonn Woodard

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Ahead of Black History Night on Saturday, the Washington Capitals welcomed 10-year-old 'The Last Of Us' actor and local hockey player Keivonn Woodard to Friday's practice, where he skated with Charlie Lindgren and also got to meet one of his heroes in Alex Ovechkin, who sat with him and signed to communicate with Woodard, who is deaf.

Woodard and Ovechkin shared a special moment post-practice, as the captain met with Woodard and gave him his stick. The captain then sat down with Woodard and communicated with him through an interpreter, who also showed Ovechkin how to sign back to Woodard. The two then shared a hug.

It was a special day for Woodard, who played Sam in HBO's breakout series and video game adaptation, 'The Last Of Us.' Woodard is also skates with the Bowie Hockey Club in Maryland and hopes to become the first Black deaf player to play in the NHL.

"I like to celebrate, and I'm flashy," Woodard told NHL.com.

Woodard ended up scoring on Lindgren and having a day that he would never forget. He got his start in hockey thanks to the help of his mother, who reached out to the Bowie club president Lori Jones asked if an American Sign Language interpreter could be provided for practices and games. The Capitals and Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation's Capital Impact Fund gave the club a $10,000 grant in October, which led to the team bring on an interpreter for Keivonn.