Washington Capitals defenseman Brian Pothier visited Kent Gardens Elementary School in McLean, Va., on Monday, June 8. The school, consisting of over 900 students and faculty, received an assembly as the overall winner of this season’s Caps Care Click to Win initiative.

Kent Gardens Elementary School earned a Capitals player visit by having the highest percentage rate of attendance of all the schools that received game tickets through the Caps Care Click to Win program this season. Pothier was joined by the radio voice of the Capitals Steve Kolbe and team mascot Slapshot.

As the emcee, Kolbe commended the school on their achievements all year long and particularly their turnout at the Capitals game on Oct. 13 versus the Vancouver Canucks. He then led the students in a chant of “Let’s Go Caps” in order to make Slapshot appear. Slapshot excited the students and impressed them with his ability to pump out a set of push-ups.

Next, Kolbe introduced Pothier who explained his background, including the foreign language he studied in school. Students found this relevant since Kent Gardens Elementary School has a French focus. Pothier fielded questions from the students and staff, including how many career goals he has scored, if he was nervous before his first NHL game, whether he has ever been in a fight and who his best friend is on the team.

The school’s students and staff were presented with a $1,500 check, which they earned for being selected to participate in Caps Care Click to Win and having the highest attendance rate for the Capitals game they attended. The Capitals also donated a 2008-09 Washington Capitals team autographed home jersey to be displayed in the school. At the end of the assembly, students were randomly selected through a raffle to win prizes – beach towels, calculators, cups, flags, lunch boxes and magnets. All students and staff were informed that they could download from the school’s website an 8x10” photo autographed by Pothier.

Through this season’s Caps Care Click to Win initiative, 36 Washington metropolitan area schools were selected as winners and received a $500 grant. Those schools with the highest attendance rate at a game or the highest percentage rate of votes in an online photo contest received an additional $1,000 grant from Washington Capitals Charities. The Capitals granted $27,000 through the 2008-09 Caps Care Click to Win initiative.

Caps Care Click to Win has concluded its second season, giving local schools the chance to win free Capitals tickets and cash prizes. The program is part of the team’s commitment to introduce area youth to hockey and to support local schools with charitable contributions. Please check WashingtonCaps.com in the fall for more details on the 2009-10 Caps Care Click to Win program.