Future Caps Learn To Play Registration Opens For DC Area Rinks

SPRINGFIELD, VA — If you have young kiddos who are eager to learn hockey like their favorite Washington Capitals players, you're in luck. The Future Caps Learn to Play program, which provides free equipment and instruction to children ages 5 to 9, opened registration Monday for 17 DC area locations.

The program, presented by global technology solutions company World Wide Technology, provides eight weeks of on-ice instruction to first-time hockey players. The program is open to first-time hockey participants aged 5 to 9 who were not previously registered with USA Hockey or a sanctioned minor hockey program. This season's Future Caps Learn to Play program will be hosted at 17 rinks throughout Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

"WWT is once again proud to support the Future Caps Learn to Play program, an essential initiative providing children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area an opportunity to learn the great game of hockey in a fun and safe environment," said Bryan Thomas, senior vice president of public sector for WWT. "Enabling children of all backgrounds to experience hockey without the cost burden opens up the sport to so many more, ideally increasing participation across the area."

The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association created the Learn to Play initiative after identifying a need to grow the sport. Each participating rink provides affordable Learn to Play programming with a goal of increasing participation in the sport.

Participants receive on-ice instruction as well as head-to-toe equipment, including a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, pants, shin pads, socks, skates, jersey, stick and equipment bag. Fittings will be virtual due to COVID-19. While equipment is free, the participation fee varies by location.

The Capitals Youth Hockey Development Department developed the lessons in coordination with select Washington Capitals alumni. Lessons are based on USA Hockey’s American Development model, which emphasizes cross ice-skating and skill development. Participants are encouraged to complete a Learn to Skate class through their local rink before enrolling in the Future Caps program.

Participating locations include:

• Ashburn Ice House: 21595 Smith Switch Road, Ashburn VA, 20147
• Bowie Ice Arena: 3330 Northview Drive, Bowie MD, 20715
• Capital Clubhouse: 3033 Waldorf Market Place, Waldorf MD, 20603
• Columbia Ice Rink: 5876 Thunder Hill Road, Columbia MD, 21045
• Easton - Talbot County Ice Rink: 10028 Ocean Gateway, Easton MD, 21601
• Hagerstown Ice & Sports Complex: 580 Security Road, Hagerstown MD, 21740
• Haymarket IcePlex: 15155 Washington St., Haymarket VA, 20169
• MedStar Capitals Iceplex: 627 N. Glebe Road #800, Arlington VA, 22203
• Navy - USNA McMullen at Brigade Sports Complex: 64 Greenbury Point Road, Annapolis MD, 21402
• Powhatan Ice Den: 1580 Oakbridge Terrace, Powhatan VA, 23139
• Prince William Ice Center: 5150 Dale Blvd., Dale City VA, 22193
• Reisterstown SportsPlex: 401 Mitchell Drive, Reisterstown MD, 21136
• Rockville Ice Arena: 50 Southlawn Court, Rockville MD, 20850
• SkateQuest - Reston: 1800 Michael Faraday Court, Reston VA, 20190
• The St. James: 6805 Industrial Road, Springfield VA, 22151

For more information and registration, visit WashCaps.com/FutureCaps.