Capitals Skate With Children in Cancer Fight
Washington Capitals players paired with young cancer patients, survivors and families during the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Skate.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Hockey
The Washington Capitals held their annual Hockey Fights Cancer Skate with children, survivors and families affiliated with local health and charity partners. Each Capitals player was paired with at least one child on the ice, and Alexander Ovechkin completed his final Hockey Fights Cancer Skate of his career.
Why it matters
The event has been held for more than a decade and raises awareness and support for families affected by cancer in the Washington area. It is tied to a yearly Hockey Fights Cancer Night at a Capitals home game.
The skate has run for more than ten years and pairs every Capitals player with at least one child on the ice. Participants came from Blood Cancer United Mid-Atlantic, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, MedStar Health and Sunrise Day Camp Greater Washington, and the total headcount was not disclosed.
The players
Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin is a longtime Washington Capitals forward and one of the most decorated goal scorers in NHL history, and this skate marked his final Hockey Fights Cancer Skate of his career.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are an NHL franchise based in Arlington, Virginia's Washington, D.C. market that has run the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative for more than a decade.
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic
Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic is a regional chapter of the national nonprofit that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses and was one of the partner organizations participating in the skate.
The details
Rai Kataria, a four-year-old diagnosed with leukemia more than a year ago who is still in treatment, was among the children on the ice. Dylan Strome took a child named Taylor around the ice with her family, as the Capitals joined families in the event.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: Hockey Fights Cancer Skate held with Capitals players and children.
November 19, 2026: Capitals host Buffalo for Hockey Fights Cancer Night.
Season Trajectory
The Capitals' annual skate is part of the NHL-wide Hockey Fights Cancer initiative, which the league has used for years to tie team home games to cancer awareness. This year's event was notable as Alexander Ovechkin's final one of his career, marking the end of a long-running franchise tradition.
Fans attending the November 19 Hockey Fights Cancer Night game will see the Capitals host Buffalo with the cancer-awareness tie-in. The skate also highlights the partner organizations families can contact for support.
The takeaway
Community events like the Hockey Fights Cancer Skate give children facing serious illness a direct connection with athletes, and families can look to partner groups such as Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic for ongoing support.
What happens next
The 2026 Hockey Fights Cancer Night game is scheduled for November 19 when the Capitals host Buffalo.
Further reading
Explore more Hockey coverage tied to the Capitals' community work in Washington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by DC News Now | Washington, DC.
