Caps' Training Camp Schedule Announced

Two Minutes for Blogging was recently linked as a Caps' fan friendly blog (that's right, no cursing on this site... although sometimes I want to!). So I think some love is in order for my red, white, and blue.

The Caps announced the following information about practices, rookie camp, fan fest, and the much-anticipated training camp (will there be enough ice for all the defenseman???):

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals 2007 Rookie Camp and Training Camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., will feature practices and scrimmages that are open to the public and free of charge, as well as special events including giveaways and specific days dedicated to heroes in the community and the Capitals’ young fans.

Training Camp opens with Fan Fest on Friday, Sept. 14, after a one-week Rookie Camp and features a special pre-sale for 2007-08 single-game tickets available only at Kettler Capitals Iceplex. Individual game tickets will go on sale to the public on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. at 202-432-SEAT, on WashingtonCaps.com and at all local Ticketmaster outlets, including the Verizon Center box office. Capitals season-ticket holders will have an opportunity to purchase individual game tickets prior to public sale.

Fan Fest will also feature autograph sessions with players, a town hall-style meeting with chairman and majority owner Ted Leonsis and a live broadcast by DC101’s Elliot in the Morning Show. For each of the first three days of camp fans can play interactive hockey games and four of hockey’s most prestigious trophies – the Calder, King Clancy, Norris and Vezina – will be on display.

Fan Fest also marks the first opportunity for fans to purchase the Capitals’ new jerseys. The jerseys available at Fan Fest will be Rbk Premier Replicas without names or numbers; fans will have the opportunity to order personalization that day.

Other special events take place throughout Training Camp. Thursdays during Training Camp – Sept. 20 and 27 – have been dubbed Red Thursdays, when all fans wearing red to Kettler Capitals Iceplex will receive a free ticket to a preseason game at Verizon Center.

Friday, Sept. 21, is Heroes Day at Capitals Training Camp, dedicated to honoring our local heroes in the military, our police officers, firefighters and first responders. The day will feature an on-ice recognition of local heroes, a skills competition between teams of police, military personnel and firefighters, as well as a special autograph session and an “Ask the GM” session held with vice president and general manager George McPhee exclusively for the members of these services. SportsTalk 980 will broadcast live from Kettler Capitals Iceplex for a portion of the day’s events.

Saturday, Sept. 29, is Kids Day at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, featuring the launch of the new Caps Kids Club. Kids Day will also feature a kids’ skills competition, a kids-only autograph session, face painters, caricature artists and a special giveaway.

This marks the Capitals’ first Training Camp at the new Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the Metro-accessible, inside-the-Beltway practice facility that features two NHL-sized rinks. All on-ice sessions at Rookie Camp and Training Camp – like every Capitals practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex – will be open to the public and free of charge.

Fans can get the best possible available seating location and price by signing up today for full season tickets and save up to 51.4% off the gate price. The Capitals also offer a 19-game Weekend Plan and a You Pick 11 plan, in which fans select the games they wish to attend. All plan holders can take advantage of the Caps PowerPay option – interest-free monthly payments with full season plans starting as low as $66 per month.

I for one will be taking in a day or two at the new Kettler Ice Rink. Please follow the link above for exact dates and times of scrimmages. As soon as rosters come out, I'll post them here. Personally, that is how I decide when to attend.