Former Caps Teach Hockey at Ashburn School

Washington Capitals alumnus and NHL Hall of Famer Rod Langway, fellow alumnus Paul Mulvey and mascot Slapshot paid a visit to Creighton’s Corner Elementary School last week for the third Capitals Hockey School assembly of the 2012-13 school year.

The free program, intended to be both instructional and interactive, exposes students to hockey and teaches proper technique.

Langway and Mulvey taught stick handling, passing and shooting, and answered questions from of the 190 fifth graders who participated. The former pros then joined several students in a friendly scrimmage, with Langway leading the girls team against Mulvey and the boys.

“The kids adapted well to the lessons that we gave them,” said Langway, a former Capitals defenseman who played in more than 700 games with the team from 1982-93, in a press release from the team. “They were so excited to play hockey and it was great to see their enthusiasm for the sport.”

“Some of the students out there with us were hockey players, and they were superb,” said Mulvey, a former Capitals left wing who played in 187 games with the team from 1978-81. “I hope all the children enjoyed learning about the game.”

Following the clinic the Capitals donated a set of street hockey equipment to the school. All students received an autographed alumni card, a hockey 101 booklet and a Capitals squishy puck. Creighton’s Corner Elementary School also received a Capitals Hockey School banner to display in their school gymnasium.

The 2012-13 season marks the sixth consecutive year the Capitals have conducted their Hockey School program. The Capitals have hosted more than 70 clinics and reached more than 10,000 students in the past four years.