Matt Bradley, Semyon Varlamov and Slapshot Host Capitals Hockey School at Kenmoor Elementary School
Bradley and Varlamov demonstrated how to puck-handle, pass and shoot. After each skill, students were chosen to test out what they learned in front of the audience. One lucky student was selected to put on goalie equipment and receive goaltending tips from Varlamov as he attempted to stop shots from his classmates. The clinic concluded with a students versus teachers scrimmage, where Varlamov teamed up with the students and Bradley with the teachers. The students and Varlamov outscored the teachers 2-1.
All students who participated in the clinic received autographed player cards from Bradley and Varlamov along with Caps Hockey 101 booklets and squishy pucks.
This was the second Capitals Hockey School visit this season. The Capitals do two Capitals Hockey School visits a month reaching more than 250 students through the clinics as well as donating the hockey equipment to the school so the kids can have a chance to practice what they learn.
This is the fourth consecutive year the Capitals have conducted their Hockey School program. The Caps hosted more than 30 clinics and reached nearly 5,000 students the past three years. During the 2009-10 season, thousands of elementary and middle school students graduated from Hockey School presented by Chevy Chase Bank. Students benefited from question-and-answer sessions with Caps representatives, including Caps players, coaches and alumni, where they shared information about their hockey backgrounds and fun facts about hockey and the team. The Caps taught skills through verbal instruction and demonstrations and allow students to sharpen their technique during the interactive portions of the clinics. At the end of each visit, students received Hockey 101 booklets, squishy pucks and autographed player cards to signify that they graduated from Hockey School presented by Chevy Chase Bank.