Tag Archives: Pittsburgh Penguins

24/7

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I watched the show. I couldn’t wait until Saturday because I was curious after so many people were emailing me today asking me to comment. I now know what all of the buzz is about.

I think the show will be fantastic for the NHL and for the fans. HBO has done a magnificent job of capturing the human drama behind the scenes. When you lose, all is dark. When you win, all is right in the world.

There are two teams that will play in the Winter Classic. Here are their real time stories leading up to the game. The editing is just world class. The photography is awe-inspiring. The game action like we have never seen before on television.

I think it has been produced fairly and accurately. The production value is fantastic and they treat the game with respect and the players as well.

I have never been in a closed locker room when the coach is yelling and cursing so that was a first of its kind moment for me as well! To be honest, I have never heard our coach or an exec really curse in a meeting like that before so I think I am reacting like you all are as a viewer, too. Yikes!

I was honored to be asked to speak on camera. The short interview was all I agreed to do as I believe this series has to focus on the game itself and the players.

I knew what we were signing up for in participating in this series. I have no regrets in our team doing it. It is good for the NHL. It is good for the game. We are playing in a showcase event on New Year’s Day. We have to help promote the game and the league itself.

We just need to win some games to make the next set of programming more enjoyable for our fans and our franchise. And our players. It’s pretty simple. Winning often – good. Losing a lot – bad.

Don’t Believe the Hype

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We were humbled last year in the playoffs.

We have to be focused — hungry and humble this coming season.

We can’t and won’t talk about aspirations; we will only focus on  playing one game at a time; nothing is promised to any team; there is no destiny- just hard work; and focus and some luck.

I hope we have learned a  collective lesson last season; we should be highly  motivated — we should be hungry — we haven’t accomplished anything; we should come into next season mad — humbled — and focused as a unit.

As they say around here — ” The future is now”; being humble and NOT believing any hype will be our mantra. Go Caps; read this one and then delete it!

Let No Good Deed Go Unpunished

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I am thrilled that we will play in the Winter Classic. In Pittsburgh.

Now that we own Verizon Center outright — many fans have encouraged us to bid on an NHL All star game and another NBA All Star game at the arena. We will also eventually host a Winter Classic here in DC too as you know.

Big events are fun. They create excitement — they stimulate the local economies. They create buzz. Continue reading →

Winter Classic Tickets

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Before the drop of the puck at the first Winter Classic, I was emailing Gary Bettman about the possibility of the Capitals participating in what has become a signature event for the league. We wanted to host a game, but the NHL wanted to pair us with Pittsburgh, showcasing one of the best rivalries in the NHL. Since Pittsburgh had been the visiting team in a prior Winter Classic, the thought was the Penguins should be given the opportunity to host a game. So we agreed, but also were assured we would be able to host a Winter Classic in the upcoming years. That’s a win-win for us.

As our fan base has grown and its level of interest and intensity has escalated, we knew a significant number of Caps fans would want to be a part of the franchise’s first Winter Classic appearance. Therefore, one of the most important aspects of our Winter Classic discussions was our ability to secure enough tickets to accommodate our season-ticket holders.

This was an extremely challenging process, but a necessary one for our plan holders. And I thank Commissioner Bettman and his staff for working with us and making this a reality for Caps fans.

I am excited to announce that ALL suite and club seat holders as well as ALL full and partial season-ticket accounts will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to the 2011 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. In the upcoming days plan holders will be receiving details in the mail pertaining to the Winter Classic and their season-ticket account.

As you might imagine, we have received thousands of requests from Caps fans who would like to buy tickets but don’t own season tickets. We will have an extremely limited amount of travel packages that will be available for the general public, including a three-day, two-night option and a one-day trip opportunity. Please keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks for those details on WashingtonCaps.com and through our Ice Chips newsletter.

We’re playing at Heinz Field, and I know they have a huge ketchup bottle that turns the scoreboard red whenever the Steelers enter the “red zone.” I think it would be hospitable of us to bring our own version of “red” and show the NBC audience how to Rock the Red on New Year’s Day.

See you in Pittsburgh!

Winter Classic Big News

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As you’ve no doubt heard by now, the Capitals will play the Penguins in the NHL Winter Classic in Pittsburgh on January 1, 2011. The game will be played in the same stadium where the Steelers play their NFL games. This marquee match up on NBC promises to be a great event and an important game for us. I am proud that we were chosen to play in this game. And I’m sure the interest from fans of the great game of hockey will be very strong. I also believe that the ratings will be equally as strong for NBC. We have endeavored to get tickets for our season ticket holders and our fans for this game. I believe we will be able to accommodate everyone who makes reasonable requests on us and I’m hopeful that we can have a strong showing and create a Sea of Red in Pittsburgh. We will be communicating plans and details in regard to purchasing tickets in the coming weeks and months.

What may have been lost today in all of the excitement is that the NHL has made a commitment to our fans and to the Washington Capitals that they will produce an NHL Winter Classic game here in Washington DC within a reasonable amount of time. For that show of support, I am truly grateful and I’m really excited that we’ll be able to play an outdoor game in Washington DC. No details have been finalized as to when, where, and against whom, but know we will do our best to produce a great event and hold a very compelling game. That we can host a game here in DC is a testament to our great fan base. Thank you so much. Your support and fanaticism is being rewarded and noticed across the league.

Let us not focus on the future. Let us focus on next year’s Winter Classic in Pittsburgh and embrace this opportunity. I’m also hopeful that you will want to join us in Pittsburgh and that you will want to be part of this truly epic and exciting event.

Thanks again and Go Caps!

Are You Not Entertained?

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You betcha! Check out these ratings and what it translates into in terms of people.

The Caps vs. Pens draws big and even the Caps vs. Thrashers draws big time, too. We are crossing over into popular culture now. The tent is getting bigger. It is nice and warm inside. Come on in and enjoy during these trying snowy times. Go Caps!

Empathy

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I hear you and I too am snowed in. And my DirecTV isn’t working to boot.

I have been shoveling and hoping to get to the game today at noon. My neighborhood has had power outages for the last 25 hours or so.

Postponing or rescheduling a game is a tough call for the NHL. If both teams are here and the on ice officials are here and the network trucks and staff are here and the building folks have arrived, then it is game on. It has been that way forever for all sports leagues.

We are playing today. I have great empathy for our fans. I do not want to have anyone be in any danger but the game is on. You will all have to use your own judgement as to whether to come to the game.

We can’t offer exchanges for this game. We don’t have any tickets to exchange. We can’t offer refunds. We have to pay all of our expenses as it is game on.

I empathize and I understand some of your concerns but there are times that we must remember we are a part of a league. That league plays in many cities where there is a ton of bad weather and snow and the games go on.

This game is on national TV on Super Bowl Sunday. It is an important event nationwide for NBC. I apologize to those of you who have voiced concern. I have the exact same issues as you do in getting to the game. It is important to realize that weather plays a role in many cities for many games and that as long as the teams, the officials and the building support staffs are in place and the networks can broadcast – it is game on.

I will review this policy with the league, but for now, all we can do is make the best of a tough decision. Thanks for understanding. Go Caps! Wish us luck today.