Alex Ovechkin treats 10-year-old Capitals fan to sushi date
At every Washington Capitals home game, captain Alexander Ovechkin donates eight tickets to lucky Capitals fans. On Sunday, ahead of an afternoon preseason tilt between the Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes, he donated three tickets to the Schaab family and their 10-year-old daughter Ann, who has Down's syndrome. He also did so much more than just get them tickets.
Ann and her parents Lou and Melissa were treated to a tour of the Capitals' practice facility, during which Ovechkin surprised them and then took them to the game (after playing chauffeur for Ann). From a wonderful Washington Post story written by Alex Prewitt that is worth reading in full:
(They toured) the locker room, which didn’t smell so bad, and over to Ovechkin’s stall, where Ann put on his helmet, which did smell bad, so she made a stinky face. She wondered what could be cooler than this and thought, maybe, asking Ovechkin to marry her would compare. So she stuck out her hand, aimed at her mother, Melissa, and beckoned.
“Mom,” she said. “Ring. Please.”
Then, the back door swung open. Out came Ovechkin, dressed in a suit, carrying a bouquet of roses.
“Hello,” he said. “What’s up? You want to come to the game?”
“Yeah,” she replied. He handed her three tickets, part of the eight he donates every game.
“And you’re going to drive with me,” Ovechkin said, giving her a No. 8 jersey that said her name instead of his.
“I might check with my parents,” Ann said, but Ovechkin promised to drive slow, not fast, and she warned him not to get pulled over for speeding. Then she pulled her father beside Ovechkin and compared their gray hairs. Then Ovechkin took her hand, buckled her into his car and drove to Verizon Center, where she would sit on the bench for warm-ups and the other players.
After the game Ovechkin enjoyed a sushi date with Ann, and the photos of the dinner are adorable (also the spread looks delicious):
(Courtesy the Washington Post)
Often belittled as a "me-first" player and personality, this is a side of Ovechkin that the average hockey fan doesn't often see. On Sunday, the Russian born superstar made a young Capitals fans day.
And on Thursday he'll go back to scoring at a 50-goal pace, while feasting on the power-play rather than on tuna tataki.