9:00 a.m. Arrive at Convention center and aquire Time and Location of Meet and Greets. Head down the Capitals "Red Rock and Roll Superhighway"
9:20 Went into the merch shop since it was right there, found way too many things I cared to own and in my indecision...bought nothing. Listened to a man behind us bitch because the line was too long (wah) and laughed internally when after he left, the line picked up rapidly.
10:00 - 11:45 Welcome video with Papa Leonsis!
As soon as the welcome was over, they announced that Mr. Leonsis would be signing autographs, so that's where we went. Got my Brooks Laich jersey signed by "The Man". Afterwards, we vendor surfed, met Sam the "Horn Guy" (and as it turns out is a part of the old Denny's crew and knows Helen), chatted with the South Carolina Sting Rays rep..discovered they will be playing the Reading Royals, and are currently thinking about going to a game.
12:00 Autograph Line! Team Members: Tom Poti (Ain't No Poti like a DC Poti!) and Brian Fahey
12:20 - Winter Classic Uniform unveiling! I am excited about the jerseys. Talk about throw back! I remember when my dad had one almost like it. I also remember a little 5 year old walking up to him and asking him if he was a Cap. :D
In Order: Labre, Ovechkin, Langway
1:30 Helen gets in line for Kolzig picture, I hang out on the side taking WAY too many of my own..Here is two.
After Helen got her picture taken with Mr. Kolzig, I wanted to wait around to see if he would possibly sign my jersey. And then we realized the line was still a mile long. So after tracking down a few people and asking the same question a hundred times, we found out that Olie would be at the alumni table for autographs. WOOHOO!
2:45 - 3:15 - We finally sit down in the line for his signing, the first time since we arrived at 9 am. :) I realize I'm starving. I get back up and walk over to the cheesesteak place with 11 dollars in hand, expecting that to be enough for a sandwich and a coke. Wrong. My total came to 13.50 and I put my soda to the side, explaining that I would come back to get the soda. This is where Danielle, a nice stranger whom I had never met, offers up the additional 3 dollars so I can complete my meal! I attempt to refuse, and she deflects telling me it's only 3 dollars. I attempt to pay her back since I have additional money back in my wallet. She will not let me do that so I thank her profusely. So Danielle, wherever you are, thank you so much. It really meant a lot! (Who says Caps fans are rude!?) I must find a way to pay it forward.
Back in the Kolzig line, we chat it up with two nice fellas to my left who are regaling a story from earlier in the day in which one of them had almost spilled beer on Matthieu Perreault. A few moments later, I notice a Tweet from a Twitter friend - @RocktheRed tweeting about Matty P. and spilling beer. This raises my eyebrows. A few minutes later, when they were slapping Rockthered.net stickers all over the curtains, introduced myself. So hey @rockthered! Nice to meet you! If you're a caps fan, and on Twitter- follow him and buy a shirt. They're amusing.
While there we also got to listen to the Bondra/Kolzig Stanley Cup panel, and we got to watch Semin play hockey with the kids. So very cute.
3:30 p.m. Alan May, Ryan Walker, Ollie Kolzig.
Alan May apparently liked the sheet I had given him to sign because he kept saying how cool it was. When he asked me where I aquired it, I said "Ted Leonsis" (He had given it to me that morning after he signed my jersey since it "would be easier to sign".) I don't know what it was about this paper, but it amused him :D I have to admit, my knowledge of Ryan Walker was much less compared to Alan May, and I found out that Ryan Walker left the team in 1982 - the year I was born. Mr. May was on the team when I first started going to games with my dad in 1987.
I think I spoke the most with Walker. Super nice guy. I told him I had been a fan for a long time - since I was 6. He said "And, how long ago was that?" I said 1988! His response: "Well, I left the team in 1982, so." and I said "Oh, that was the year I was born." He laughed and said "Well now I really feel old!." I told him he didn't look a day over 30 and he laughed.
Olie Kolzig will remain one of my favorite players, ever. He is so incredibly humble and I was stoked to have him back in DC. I asked him to sign my jersey, welcomed him back, and told him that He was one of my most favoite players...original, right? My aim is to start a petition to retire the number 37. If you'd like to sign it, please leave a comment and I will contact you.
3:45 We begin leaving, as we had had a pretty amazing day. Didn't happen though. the next few pictures will show what we did for an HOUR AND A HALF. :D
Brads. <3
Helen and I finally left about 5:30...and passed out on the hot as hell metro. WORTH EVERY MINUTE. :)
Thanks to Ted Leonsis for putting together this amazing day, thanks to the team for being there and making it as great as it was, and thanks to everyone behind the scenes to make it comfortable and enjoyable!! I can't wait for next year!!
Coming to America Panel videos.
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