Today at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

Here is what I saw and what I did:

I saw Nicklas Backstrom and grabbed him and gave him a big hug. He laughed and hugged me back. Unfortunately he was a big sweat ball after a hard skate and I was wearing a nice blue suit. Bad move. We both laughed hard over that one. I told him "If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. We love you. Your team mates love you. End of story." I then brought in some fans from Sweden who had been emailing me who came to DC to see Backstrom play. They came into the lounge and talked with Nicklas. He was happy to hear some Swedish and they chatted about winters in the homeland and how they had seen Nicklas play in past years as a young man back home. A good moment. I then saw Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. We talked about the "OvechKam" and some advice from me on do’s and dont’s. There was some Russian spoken that I didn’t understand but I think these two have something funny planned for the game. We shall see. Alex Semin is always talking on his cell phone. He walks around naked after showering with his cell phone. He eats with his cell phone glued to his ear. Who is he talking to anyway? And he understands everything that I say. I dropped a subtle little joke today. He got it and laughed. I saw Fedorov. He is upbeat. He knows the math and the importance of our two games against Carolina. I saw George and Bruce. They all seemed to think that it was another day at the office and that the practice was serious and the guys played hard and are ready to go on Wednesday night. As I said "life goes on".

0 thoughts on “Today at Kettler Capitals Iceplex”

Nick is going to be carrying the Caps Swedish torch for many years. A worthy endeavor going from Bengt Gustafsson to Calle Johansson. I have no doubt that for most, if not all of Alex Ovechkin’s career, Nick will be sending him the passes for him to finish.

I am looking forward to when they’re in their mid-20s when they really blossom (like Gretzky and Kurri did together)…then the league better watch out! We might see Alex hit 70 or 80…

Just for perspective I would bet that I have more caps gear, poster, etc. in my office at work than Ted does!Starting with the lifesize Ovechkin fathead on my wall. as well my desk top calander, PC calander, my outlook calander, and my work cellphone all have the caps complete schedule on them, my entire work day and sales are based around the Caps schedule. I hope my boss does not read this blog…

MTB – I LOVE THIS TEAM TOO!! and I’m a Flyers fan . Seriously, I watched the games this weekend and when I felt a tear coming at the end of Sunday’s game I knew it had happened – I LOVE THE CAPS!! Alex OV baited me in, but it has been this entire team that has me hooked. I was hedging on getting Center Ice next year, but now I know it will be a MUST HAVE as this team under Bruce will only get better and better and my respect and admiration for this group will grow. Every Caps fan should be very excited about this team and where it is heading!! Enjoy every up and down because it is special – I know I will be right there cheering and tearing as the CAPS have me loving them and this game!! THANK YOU!!

Jon says it all above. Thanks for all you do Ted.

When I first met Nik after his press conference (thanks to you for letting me meet him), I was tremendously impressed by his character. Watching him play at the rookie camp this summer totally sold me on his skills. Watching him progress to a bona-fide play maker throughout the season has been a true treat. There is no doubt in my mind that Nik is the kind of guy who will not let this single moment rattle him for too long.

Everyone I know who follows the Capitals has responded to this event in a way that shows serious respect to him. I have not heard one person who has followed this team say anything negative about #19. We’re all behind Nik, and we always will be! I’m anxious to watch my favorite Cap respond to this thing like the cool customer he is.

Agreed. Thanks for being a great guy and giving Backstrom a hug. And if you’re reading this Backs, we’re all entitled to a mess up every now and then. Just don’t let it happen again

Yes, we love Backis and all the boys. They have brought so much joy, excitement and hope to fans all over the world. Please keep giving them hugs on our behalf. And, don’t forget The Donald!

thanks for giving nicklas a hug for us! we DO love him!

Maybe Semin’s been put on hold for tech support and doesn’t want to lose his place in line to speak to a rep. Either that or he’s trying to order a pizza.

You’re a good owner Ted, not just for the players but for the fans as well. Its nice to see you listen to your fans and to take our concerns and suggestions seriously. Its also nice to see you take an interest in the players as friends and support them like they are family rather then an employee. There seems to be a good deal of transparency in the organization in the sense that we can see day to day things like this. How there is more to it then just the games on TV. I think it allows fans to feel more a part of the team then just observers. Its nice. I’ve been a fan for many years but I can honestly say that I feel more a part of it this season then ever before. It also says a lot about the team that they are all good friends and just have one common goal in mind. Its like with investments, you want to be able to see what your money is doing and where its going to go, and that eventually you’ll get big returns. I’m confident that we’ll get the returns. Keep up the good work.

I’m excited about this Ovechkam but also a little weary in that I hope it doesn’t affect Alex in the sense that it will make him too nervous or want to play with too fine a touch. Hopefully tomorrow will be his career first 10 goal game, but i’m willing to settle for 9 but no less…

I love this team.

I saw the Bruins game on TV and the Pens game at Verizon. A punch in the stomach followed by a kick in the balls. The Weekend from Hockey Hell.

But, one thing remains constant.

I love this team.

Thanks for giving Backstrom a hug. Next time you see him, please give him one from me. “Mistakes are painful when they happen but they are inevitable and we move on. We will prove this when we douse the Calgary Flames tomorrow.”

Mike L. on March 12, 2008 at 10:25 AM said:

Nick is going to be carrying the Caps Swedish torch for many years. A worthy endeavor going from Bengt Gustafsson to Calle Johansson. I have no doubt that for most, if not all of Alex Ovechkin’s career, Nick will be sending him the passes for him to finish.

I am looking forward to when they’re in their mid-20s when they really blossom (like Gretzky and Kurri did together)…then the league better watch out! We might see Alex hit 70 or 80…
Johnny on March 12, 2008 at 10:22 AM said:

Just for perspective I would bet that I have more caps gear, poster, etc. in my office at work than Ted does!Starting with the lifesize Ovechkin fathead on my wall. as well my desk top calander, PC calander, my outlook calander, and my work cellphone all have the caps complete schedule on them, my entire work day and sales are based around the Caps schedule. I hope my boss does not read this blog…
KMOD on March 12, 2008 at 8:36 AM said:

MTB – I LOVE THIS TEAM TOO!! and I’m a Flyers fan . Seriously, I watched the games this weekend and when I felt a tear coming at the end of Sunday’s game I knew it had happened – I LOVE THE CAPS!! Alex OV baited me in, but it has been this entire team that has me hooked. I was hedging on getting Center Ice next year, but now I know it will be a MUST HAVE as this team under Bruce will only get better and better and my respect and admiration for this group will grow. Every Caps fan should be very excited about this team and where it is heading!! Enjoy every up and down because it is special – I know I will be right there cheering and tearing as the CAPS have me loving them and this game!! THANK YOU!!
Daniel on March 12, 2008 at 8:34 AM said:

Jon says it all above. Thanks for all you do Ted.
Nathan Hays on March 12, 2008 at 12:25 AM said:

When I first met Nik after his press conference (thanks to you for letting me meet him), I was tremendously impressed by his character. Watching him play at the rookie camp this summer totally sold me on his skills. Watching him progress to a bona-fide play maker throughout the season has been a true treat. There is no doubt in my mind that Nik is the kind of guy who will not let this single moment rattle him for too long.

Everyone I know who follows the Capitals has responded to this event in a way that shows serious respect to him. I have not heard one person who has followed this team say anything negative about #19. We’re all behind Nik, and we always will be! I’m anxious to watch my favorite Cap respond to this thing like the cool customer he is.
Joe on March 11, 2008 at 9:56 PM said:

Agreed. Thanks for being a great guy and giving Backstrom a hug. And if you’re reading this Backs, we’re all entitled to a mess up every now and then. Just don’t let it happen again
Elsa on March 11, 2008 at 8:39 PM said:

Yes, we love Backis and all the boys. They have brought so much joy, excitement and hope to fans all over the world. Please keep giving them hugs on our behalf. And, don’t forget The Donald!
sonia on March 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM said:

thanks for giving nicklas a hug for us! we DO love him!
Jon S on March 11, 2008 at 5:16 PM said:

Maybe Semin’s been put on hold for tech support and doesn’t want to lose his place in line to speak to a rep. Either that or he’s trying to order a pizza.

You’re a good owner Ted, not just for the players but for the fans as well. Its nice to see you listen to your fans and to take our concerns and suggestions seriously. Its also nice to see you take an interest in the players as friends and support them like they are family rather then an employee. There seems to be a good deal of transparency in the organization in the sense that we can see day to day things like this. How there is more to it then just the games on TV. I think it allows fans to feel more a part of the team then just observers. Its nice. I’ve been a fan for many years but I can honestly say that I feel more a part of it this season then ever before. It also says a lot about the team that they are all good friends and just have one common goal in mind. Its like with investments, you want to be able to see what your money is doing and where its going to go, and that eventually you’ll get big returns. I’m confident that we’ll get the returns. Keep up the good work.

I’m excited about this Ovechkam but also a little weary in that I hope it doesn’t affect Alex in the sense that it will make him too nervous or want to play with too fine a touch. Hopefully tomorrow will be his career first 10 goal game, but i’m willing to settle for 9 but no less…
MTB on March 11, 2008 at 5:13 PM said:

I love this team.

I saw the Bruins game on TV and the Pens game at Verizon. A punch in the stomach followed by a kick in the balls. The Weekend from Hockey Hell.

But, one thing remains constant.

I love this team.
Chasta on March 11, 2008 at 3:25 PM said:

Thanks for giving Backstrom a hug. Next time you see him, please give him one from me. “Mistakes are painful when they happen but they are inevitable and we move on. We will prove this when we douse the Calgary Flames tomorrow.”