Dallas, Virginia. – On December 9, the Washington Capitals invited season ticket members and their families to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for an autograph session with the Capitals.
Among the season ticket members at the event was Zach Wolpoff, who wore a giant yellow foam hat shaped like a figure eight. The 20-year-old relic has become an icon for Wolpoff and his brother's Capitals fan base.
“It started in Ovechkin’s rookie season,” Wolov explained. “He was in a seven-game scoring slump, which at the time was his longest, and me and my brother, we were upset, we were little kids, and our uncle said, 'Hey, I've got an idea.' Let's get something to run Ovi.' So he thought about the idea of getting yellow mattress foam, cutting it into a shape of eight, and putting it on our heads.
Wolfeoff and his brother, who have had direct season tickets since 2005, made their debut on December 3, 2005, against the New York Rangers — the same night Ovechkin scored to end his slump.
The brothers only deploy good luck charms on special occasions now, including Gr8 Chase.
“As the string of goals continues, we will definitely start getting them out,” Wolov said. “We want him to know that we are here and still supporting him after all these years.”
Having met Ovechkin at past season ticket holder events, Wolpoff was very excited to secure the signing of Logan Thompson, citing Thompson's goaltending style as something he admires about the Capitals' newcomer.
“It was fun and exciting to see all the fans and sit there signing for a few hours,” Thompson said of his team's first signing event and meeting Wolpoff. “It was very exciting to meet him. He was really excited.
For other season ticket holders, it was nice to reconnect with old faces. The return of Lars Eller and Jakub Vrana to the area this season was welcomed with open arms by season ticket members, who lined up to get items from their Stanley Cup run signed by the two.
2024-12-17 16:54:00
