Free Hockey Museum Popping Up This Weekend In Anne Arundel County

ODENTON, MD — A free hockey museum is popping up this weekend in Anne Arundel County.

The NHL's United by Hockey Mobile Museum is heading to the Piney Orchard Ice Arena, where the Washington Capitals practiced years ago.

The 840-square-foot exhibit is on a seven-month tour across North America. It will be in Odenton Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m.

The traveling museum celebrates hockey trailblazers, changemakers and business leaders from various demographics. The mobile exhibit displays artifacts and videos. There's also a look at young stars, officials, broadcasters and women in the game.

Gloves worn by Capitals forward T.J. Oshie, an Indigenous American, will be on display. Capitals defenseman Ethan Bear, an Indigenous Canadian, and several Capitals alumni are also highlighted.

New features include:

• A virtual reality experience in the sled of Team USA paralympic gold medalist Malik Jones
• An adaptive hockey display on blind hockey, deaf / hard of hearing hockey, sled hockey, special hockey and standing / amputee hockey
• Podcast interviews by hockey card collector and educator Dean Barnes

The museum was designed by Natalie Zanecchia, who continues to adapt the interactive space.

"Part of the Hockey Is For Everyone initiative, the traveling museum demonstrates the ongoing commitment from the NHL and National Hockey League Players' Association to raise awareness and provide information about diverse individuals in hockey," the Washington Capitals said in a Monday press release. "This season's mobile exhibition promises an even more immersive experience, with additions that explore the game's impact on culture and society, as well as tributes to heroes both on and off the ice."