Booksmart: Capitals Share Favorite Books, Make Picks For Little Free Library

ARLINGTON, V.A. — Dylan Strome walked his daughter, Weslie, over to a small box right near the doors to the Washington Capitals rink at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, opening it to reveal a mini library of sorts featuring all types of books, from picture books to novels to autobiographies. The two eventually settled on the picture book "NHL Mascots and Friends," and then sat down outside the rink to read together.

It was all part of Washington's launch of its own "Little Free Library," a new book-sharing box in the lobby of the team's practice facility in Arlington, V.A. The Little Free Library is the first in the NHL and features various hockey titles, books written by Capitals alumni, books for all age groups and, of course, selections from the players themselves. Fans are encouraged to take books and, rather than return the exact book, bring back a different book to share with others.

Several Washington skaters picked their favorite books and books that they've read recently themselves or to their kids. Here are the titles they picked:

– Connor Brown: Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson, which tells the story of former Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, the winningest NBA coach in professional sports history.

– Nic Dowd: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, a children's book he last read to his son, Louie Dowd.

– Lars Eller: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World — and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, which introduces new thought processes and thinking habits that will change the way readers view the world and empower readers to respond to challenges and opportunities.

– Garnet Hathaway: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, a children's book he last read to his son, Luke Hathaway.

– Darcy Kuemper: Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan, which is based on the true story of Pino Lella, who showed courage and resilience during World War II.

– Charlie Lindgren: Wins, Losses and Lessons by Lou Holtz, which is an autobiography written by famous football coach and military veteran Lou Holtz.

– T.J. Oshie: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, which is a memoir that the Oscar-winning actor hopes to inspire others with as he tells life stories and honest lessons.

– Trevor van Riemsdyk: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, a children's book he last read to his niece.

– Dylan Strome: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, a children's book that he last read to his daughter, Weslie.

– Tom Wilson: Craig & Fred: A Marine, A Stray Dog, and How They Rescued Each Other by Craig Grossi, the story of how a U.S. Marine and a stray dog he met on the Afghan battlefield saved each other and continue to travel together.

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Here are the other hockey-themed books in the library:

• As Fast As Her: Dream Big, Break Barriers, Achieve Success by Kendall Coyne  
• Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador, and the Future of Hockey by Ken Dryden
• The Bulliest Dozer by Capitals alumnus Eric Fehr 
• Dare to Make History: Chasing a Dream and Fighting for Equity by Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando
• Hockey Moms: The Heart of the Game by Theresa Bailey and Terry Marcotte
• The Unforgettable Story of Hockey’s Forgotten 60-Goal Man by Capitals alumnus Dennis Maruk 
• Hockey's Hidden Gods: The Untold Story of a Paralympic Miracle on Ice by S.C. Megale
• Z is for Zamboni: A Hockey Alphabet by Matt Napier
• NHL Mascots and Friends by Holly Preston 
• 100 Things Capitals Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die: Stanley Cup Edition by Capitals radio host Ben Raby, featuring foreword by Capitals alumnus Craig Laughlin 
• Brady Brady: All-Star Hockey Collection by Mary Shaw
• FIGHTER: Defying the NHL Odds by Capitals alumnus Aaron Volpatti 
• Hockey is for Everybody: Anthony’s Goal by Anthony Walsh  

Little Free Library is a non-profit organization that "builds community, inspires readers and expands book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Three Libraries. As a result of them, over 300 million books have been shared since 2009. The Little Free Library is also an extension of the Caps in School Reading Program, which encourages students to read more.