More Back-to-School with the Men in Red

As thousands of happy D.C. kids made their way back to the classroom this week, the Washington Capitals announced the continuation of the popular Caps Hockey School program. The Capitals have conducted the program the previous two years, hosting 20 clinics and reaching 2,500 students in the Washington, D.C., area.

Here's more of the fun details on the program courtesy of the team:

This season Caps coaches, players, Slapshot and team representatives will host Hockey School sessions between September and May for groups of 100 to 150 fifth-eighth graders. Each Hockey School visit consists of an interactive floor hockey clinic and a question-and-answer session with representatives of the Capitals. It is designed to be both instructional and interactive, with the goal of exposing students to floor hockey and teaching proper technique.

Each student who participates in Hockey School will receive:

• An autographed player card signed by one of the Washington Capitals


• A Hockey 101 booklet that outlines the rules of street hockey and ice hockey


• One coupon for a free open skate session at a local participating rink


• One coupon for a free learn to skate or learn to play introductory class at a local rink


• A Hockey School squishy puck

Certain schools will also receive a free set of street hockey equipment.

Teachers or principals who would like up to 150 of their fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and/or eighth-grade students to participate in Hockey School can register here. Hockey School visits will start at 2 p.m., are approximately one hour in length and should take place in the school’s gymnasium. Schools are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis and must select one of the predetermined dates available when signing up. Schools must be within a 30-mile radius of Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., to be eligible. A Capitals representative will contact schools to confirm their participation and coordinate visit details.

Now that's what Hockey Mom calls making learning fun!

In other hockey happenings, the Caps' own Mike Green is one of more than 40 hopefuls looking to make Team Canada and don the red Maple Leaf at Vancouver 2010. A virtual who's who of the NHL, the elite players are currently in Calgary at the Olympic Orientation Camp. Boy, I wouldn't want to be bench boss Mike Babcock having to whittle down that roster....