Inside it was strange for us to view two entire NHL-sized sheets conspicuously free of a single streak of puck smearing on dasher boards. We spoke with a Zamboni driver who assured us that just this previous Saturday all the surrounding aisles and walkways were crammed full of construction debris. While there remains still considerable construction left to complete the Capitals’ offices, public skating sessions will commence this weekend, and the Caps, General Manager George McPhee told us, expect to skate their first practice at Ballston on November 7.

“Who would have thought the finest practice facility [in the NHL] would be in Ballston?” he added.

Three enormous honor banners of Dale Hunter, Rod Langway, and Yvon Labre in action adorn one end wall of the Caps’ side of the facility, and OFB eyes quickly detected that Captain Hunter, like the other two retired sweater owners, was outfitted in the team’s original uniform design, inviting our latent rumor whispering about a much-debated uniform switch occuring sooner rather than later.

Leonsis pledged that all Caps’ practices at Ballston would remain free and open to the public. In light of the highlight-reel talent the organization is rapidly accumulating, this is no small perk for sports-loving Northern Virginians. Kettler-Capitals is densely surrounded by high-rise business and residential property, and with the backdrop of the Caps’ feel-good western roadtrip in the air, it wasn’t hard to imagine an awful lot of businessmen’s hookie taking place between the hours of 10:00-1:00 the next five years.

Kettler Capitals Iceplex Banners
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Posted at 10:00 pm. Filed under Washington Capitals.
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6 Comments

  1. pepper wrote:

    Was it Tarik that you met? I have to say the blog, and almost daily articles, from the Post are a pleasing development, spurred on no doubt by the rise of the cleverly designed, well-written “independent” blogs (shining e.g. OFB) rising to the challenge. (And since Tarik was a high school classmate, I must be biased in not including him within the vilified MSM.) I don’t have an opinion about Dave Fay when he chooses to, or is required to, write an article. And if it was elder statesman Al Koken, he HAS to be without reproach. He’s been covering the team since day 1 (since those white pants for that matter).

    As for the new rinks, I guess we can’t call it the Ballston 2 (like the Burnaby 8). But its a tremendous development for the Caps and for local hockey. I can’t wait to check it out.

    As an aside, why must all new architecture, residential, commercial, ice rink(!), be a concrete and glass box with such severe angles?

    Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 12:50 am | Permalink
  2. Mellyville9 wrote:

    THAT WOULD BE SOOOOO COOL IF THEY WENT BACK TO THE CLASSIC RED WHITE AND BLUES. Those were the days of consistent playoff appearences. If only they didnt knock down USAirs Arena and trade Dino hahah

    Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 1:23 am | Permalink
  3. Tarik wrote:

    “a rush out the facility front door”? You are kidding, right? I was probably rushing to catch a source before he left the building. Probably the same source who gave me the financial details of the naming rights deal — stuff no one else had in their report. That’s a pretty important detail considering the whole news conference was about the naming rights, no?

    Guys, I’m not trying to pick a fight here. I’m a pro. I can handle criticism. I just don’t think it’s fair for you suggest that I was running away or that I was angry after meeting you.

    In fact, it was a pleasure meeting the two of you.

    Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 9:04 am | Permalink
  4. DC Sports Chick wrote:

    Aw, now I’m really pissed that I couldn’t make it- would have liked to meet you guys! Oh well, next time :-)

    Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 12:04 pm | Permalink
  5. chanuck wrote:

    Can’t wait to watch practice at the new facility. Especially since it is so close to home.

    Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 11:42 pm | Permalink
  6. Mr. Smooth wrote:

    The new facility looks a lot different the last time I was there. Once they start serving beer and holding Caps practices there, WOW, it will be the greatest place on Earth!

    Friday, November 3, 2006 at 2:24 am | Permalink

3 Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Metroblogging DC on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 1:56 pm

    New Caps facility unveiled in Ballston…

    Don’t be blue, The rumors are true. The time is near, It’s finally here. Won’t it be great, When all Arlingtonians can skate. Sign up now, So you’ll know how. Yesterday, the Capitals announced that their new practice facility in……

  2. Off Wing Opinion on Thursday, November 2, 2006 at 10:08 pm

    The Caps New Practice Facility…

    Work commitments kept me from attending the opening of the new Caps practice facility yesterday, but the folks at On……

  3. On Frozen Blog | Knee-Jerks: Practice, 3/20/07 on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 3:50 pm

    [...] With an alternate work schedule today, I was able to attend my first Caps practice since training camp and first visit to Kettler Capitals Iceplex since the ribbon cutting press conference. I took a few notes and will present them in typical OFB Knee-Jerk style. [...]

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