It was a black moment last month for the figure skating community. 28 of the community members lost their lives as a mid-air crash occurred between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas. The collision took place just outside the Reagan National Airport and all the victims were recovered from the Potomac River. Apart from the 28 members of the skating community, the other 39 members also lost their lives in this saddening accident. Nearly a month after this shocking tragedy, the Washington Capitals paid tribute to those affected by the crash.

Earlier today, it was revealed that the Capitals are set to honor the victims of the Reagan National Airport crash by wearing a special helmet decal that will feature a figure skate and a hockey skate. Additionally, the date 1.29.25 will be encircled in a heart, denoting the date of the crash and that the victims are remembered by the entire sporting community.

Further, talking about the heartening gesture by his team in their next match against the Lightning, the Capitals’ head coach, Spencer Carbery, said, “It’s just another way by us to show our support to all the people who were affected by the crash, the families and the loved ones.”

While this is just one among the many tributes in the NHL community, Monumental Sports and Entertainment will host the Legacy on Ice event on Sunday, a live figure skating tribute for the families and loved ones of those affected. The event will be co-hosted by Olympic Champion Brian Boitano and is set to feature some big names in the form of Ilia Malinin and Amber Glenn. “We are fortunate to have a platform to honor the 67 people we lost and remember the extraordinary impact they made during their lives,” the CEO of Monumental Sports and Entertainment said. Amid this, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis also paid his respects to the victims affected.

Washington Capitals’ owner paid a heartfelt tribute to the victims

Capitals was one of the first teams in the NHL to pay a heartfelt tribute to the affected victims of the crash earlier this year. While the team announced the tribute by wearing a special helmet, the team owner, Ted Leonsis, also came forward to speak about the crash.

He said, “At the end of the day, we not only want to be able to collectively bring all of the voices of all of the people affected, but we need to be able to raise a lot of dollars to help ease some of the pain.” This came against the backdrop of the announcement of the Legacy on Ice event, which will also raise funds for the victim’s families and loved ones. Proceeds from the event will benefit the U.S. Figure Skating Association, Greater Washington Community Foundation, and DC Fire & EMS Foundation.

While the Capitals are certainly pouring their heart out at societal issues, the team was handed some promising news ahead of its clash against the Lightning. The team’s leading goal scorer and enforcer, Tom Wilson, is fit and ready to go after missing the last game due to illness. It looks like the good deeds are paying off instantly for the Capitals, who lead the Metropolitan Division currently.