The Caps have reached an agreement with Clear Channel Communications to broadcast all 82 Caps games, plus play off games, on Clear Channel Stations – including SportsTalk 980.  I encourage them to respect the NHL, to respect the game of hockey, to love our fans and root for our success.  Dave Pugh – the new general manager of Clear Channel has given me assurances that our partnership will be productive, and that as someone who has just moved here from Detroit, he appreciates the game of hockey.  I believe in him, and this new partnership. 

Kono has retired.  He is what an NHL hockey player should be all about:  determination, grit, leadership, love and respect for the game.  We will all miss him, and his wild-eyed stare.  We all wish him well.

Welcome, Jason Whitlock, a great addition to the AOL Sports team. Whitlock is a smart, passionate voice and someone who will bring straight talk to the fans with accuracy and candor. Enjoy.

Mapquest introduced new draggable maps today and the gold Rush integration is very cool too.

Gotta love Alex Ovechkin, standing up for a teammate in Philly. The Flyers come to DC tonight for another preseason game.

Here is a wonderful story about a very special person.  Joseph Lekuton taught both of my children at the Langley School in McLean.  He is one of a kind – sincere, driven by hope, and I won’t be at all surprised if one day he becomes president of his country.  The world would be a better place if he were.