Ovechkin Hosts, Takes Class Photos With Over 800 Kids At Practice: ‘Gonna Remember That Forever’

ARLINGTON, V.A. — While getting dressed and ready to get out on the ice for Friday's practice, Alex Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals teammates could hear the roar of more than 800 kids waiting for them in the bleachers at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.

Each Arlington Public School child in attendance represented one goal — and counting — on Ovechkin's way to 800 and were invited by the captain to watch practice and meet him to celebrate his 800-goal milestone. Every time he touched the puck, the sea of kids, all dressed in "Gr8: 800 and Counting" t-shirts, erupted in excitement.

“Yeah I knew it was gonna be loud but not that loud," Ovechkin laughed. "I think it’s probably the loudest practice since we make the Stanley Cup Final. Yeah, it was fun.”

After the skate, Ovechkin went up to the second floor of the facility to take photos with each class. He also got to catch up and form a connection with local students and teachers, who he revealed were a bit starstruck.

“No. I think they shy, and as soon as they look at me, it’s like, ‘Wow, it’s him.’ Yeah, it’s pretty cool feelings," he laughed. "It's great [seeing the starstruck feeling]. It's fun. I'm pretty sure you guys enjoy it as well [when] you have new story to write about fourth line, third line, second line."

Photo courtesy of the Washington Capitals

For the 37-year-old, he said seeing all of the kids come out was something he couldn't have imagined as a kid himself, joking that when he was 12, he was on the ice for practice. He also hopes that meeting the kids and hosting them will continue to promote the game of hockey and inspire children to get more into the sport.

“I think organization and all this 800 thing, it’s come out great," Ovechkin said. "The kids, people get involved, they get to start to love more hockey and you never know, maybe one of the kids is going to be excited to play hockey and we'll see.

"How I said, it’s for community. It’s special for kids," he added. "Capitals player to reach that milestone, it’s history and you’re gonna remember that forever.”

Photo courtesy of the Washington Capitals

In addition to Friday's festivities, Ovechkin and the organization are continuing to give back to the community to celebrate his recent milestone. He is donating to the American Special Hockey Association, which will cover ice time for 100 special hockey teams across the U.S. Also, an "Ovi's Office" logo will be installed on the ice at several D.C.-area rinks.

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To close out practice, Ovechkin, along with Charlie Lindgren, jumped and crashed into the boards. Lindgren laughed that he was a "little sore" afterward, and Ovechkin said it somewhat made things come full circle.

“It’s fun, you know?" he smiled. "Reminds me of my old days when I score goal and jump on the glass.”