Donald Brashear, who visited Fort Dupont Ice Arena with Willie O’Ree yesterday, skates at a practice at the Kettler Capital Iceplex. Willie O’Ree came to Washington, D.C. yesterday to enjoy a hockey practice with kids at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. O’Ree was the first African American player in the NHL. Unlike the first African American players in professional sports like baseball and golf, he wasn’t a big star. But O’Ree is a hero for…

Since trading away team leader and expert benchwarmer Brian Sutherby to save money and cure a losing streak, the Caps have chalked up two more uninspired losses to teams from subtropical climatic zones. Last night’s nominal crowd at Verizon Center cheered optimistically when the Caps lobbed soft shots from the blueline into the catching glove of Atlanta’s third-string goalie, Johan Hedberg. They cheered sarcastically when Capitals museum piece Olaf Kolzig stopped easy shots. Some fans…

The Capitals have re-signed pugilistic defenseman John Erskine to a two year contract. After Donald Brashear, who is in a category of his own, Erskine is the team’s best fighter. Erskine’s sixty-nine penalty minutes in twenty-nine games last season show he was not afraid to demonstrate his combative skills. While Erskine began last season in Hershey, playing for the Bears of the American Hockey League, he earned a promotion back to the NHL and stayed…

Written by DCist contributor Eli Resnick Playing two games in two nights, four hundred miles apart, the Washington Capitals looked like a team in the middle of a grueling road trip last night, in their uninspired 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center. There were flashes of hope along the way. Lawrence Nycholat’s first-period slap-shot was deflected into the net, but the goal was immediately washed out. The Capitals also dished out a…

Written by DCist contributor Eli Resnick Last year’s Washington Capitals were bad at everything. This year’s team, while still decidedly bad at many things, has some distinctly strong aspects. For instance: they ice-skate very quickly; they have several decent offensive players and a loaded power play; and, oh yeah, they’re insanely tough. We’re not just talking about a team loaded with Hanson Brothers indiscriminately pouring violence on opponents, teammates and fans alike. We’re talking about…