Monthly Archives: July 2010

Winter Classic Press Conference

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There will be a major press event in Pittsburgh in a few weeks to promote the Winter Classic.

I am absolutely thrilled to have our team be a part of the event. I think the Winter Classic is a world class event and to play the Penguins – outdoors – will be a huge thrill and a true challenge. I really look forward to going to Pittsburgh too and experiencing hockey at the stadium where the Steelers play their games over New Year’s weekend.

I was originally scheduled to attend the press event but am now unable to participate. Dick Patrick, one of our owners and President of the club; George McPhee, our GM; and Mike Knuble, one of our vet leaders on the team will attend in my stead. We will be well represented. I will gladly talk to folks on the phone or via email. I just wanted to offer a heads up on this schedule change and also offer up my apologies well in advance.

I am a huge supporter of the event. I truly look forward to going to the game. I am deeply torn over this scheduling issue but I had made a previous business commitment on that exact date and I just can’t break it. I hope you all understand and I appreciate your support.

Sport For Social Change Comes to DC

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“Join this team, change your life.” That’s the challenge Street Soccer USA has been putting to teens and adults struggling with homelessness. The program offers a sense of belonging, mentorship, life skills training, and connections to jobs and job training to dedicated participants.If you love sports and enjoyed the passion of the FIFA World Cup you won’t want to miss the national Street Soccer USA Cup competition that the Leonsis Foundation is once again bringing to Washington, DC. On July 30th at 5pm, 23 teams based at social service centers from coast to coast will compete for a national championship in street soccer, a fast paced 4 vs. 4 style game. The games are hosted by the Washington Kastles at their center city stadium on 10th and H Street and finish Sunday at 3pm.

There are three great ways for you to get involved:
1. Come out at 5pm on July 30th to attend the Opening Match and Parade kicked off by Mayor Adrian Fenty. (If you register your group or business online SSUSA will announce your attendance over the PA and your group will also be entered in drawing for select giveaways at the Cup)
2. You can enter your own team to play on the official stadium gamefield in the Street Soccer USA Open Cup.
3. Sign up to volunteer

Visit www.streetsoccerusa.org to register for free tickets or purchase priority seats or courtside passes. You can read about the great entertainment, prizes, and register your team for the Open Cup there as well, or learn how to get personally involved. You can also read more about the teams, the players, and the sport for social change movement.

You can also support your favorite team at www.shopforsocialchange.org. Register for free, choose the team you support, and the program with most registrants will get a $500 grant from the Shop for Social Change.

See you July 30th at 5pm!

Come to a Practice

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Come to the Fanfest on Saturday. I will be there.

It is hot outside — it is cool indoors.

It is fun to see these young players start their careers. It is fun to embrace the future. Our first round pick looked pretty good yesterday, don’t you agree? There is a lot of talent playing at Kettler today.

Try to be happy. You can do it. Enjoy the free practices and events. Thank you.

Back From Vegas

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I am at Kettler Capitals Iceplex this week to watch Caps Development Camp — and hold a series of meetings regarding the Verizon Center, our new organizational structure to provide higher levels of service to our customers, and to review a bunch of customer generated issues and how to solve them.

I enjoyed my Vegas trip. I met with the NBA owners as noted within — “with respect” and also attended summer league games.

My favorite part of my trip was thus: as I was on the people-mover at Dulles last night, I saw a young man on the shuttle. He was wearing a Hershey Bears T shirt. We waved to each other. He then reached into his bag and pulled out an old school Rod Langway jersey and put it on.

His name is Chris Li and he, too, was returning from Vegas where he participated in a video game tournament wearing a John Carlson jersey. How cool is that? How cool is he? Thank you Chris! Go Caps. Go Wizards. Go Mystics.