Just about four months ago, the Washington Capitals won their first Stanley Cup. Tonight, they’ll raise their championship banner and open the NHL season as defending champions against the Boston Bruins.
Northern Virginia Magazine got the chance to catch up with center Lars Eller and winger Devante Smith-Pelly earlier this week, and they gave us the scoop on how their celebration with the Cup continued over the summer, how they spend their free time and what it means to get back on the ice post-Cup.
What did you do with your day with the Cup?
Smith-Pelly: It was a long day. Started in the morning and went to [Toronto] Children’s Hospital; was there for a couple of hours. Made a couple stops at some friends’ houses. Then I took it to just down the street from my parent’s house, there’s a restaurant there that I used to go to a lot when I was younger. … Then at night had a real party; that one was good.
Have you gotten your championship ring?
Eller: Yep, got it yesterday. It’s something very, very few people get to experience and get to be a part of, so that was just awesome. It was a unique experience to open this box and seeing this huge, diamond, shiny thing with your name on it, number. It’s so cool. Probably won’t be wearing it too much, but I’ll be showing it a lot.
What do you like to do when you’re not on the ice?
Smith-Pelly: I’m really into music and listening to different types of music, different genres. Drake and The Weekend, Travis Scott and them, stuff like that. Those are the go-to guys.
Eller: I spend a lot of time with my daughter, Sophia, and my wife. Like to read, like to meditate once in a while. Usually end the night with some Netflix series before I go to bed. I just finished the last season of Ozark, and now I’m watching a Danish series from back home.
Have you gotten to explore NoVA with your time as a Cap?
Eller: I haven’t. I want to go; hopefully next summer. I heard about the hiking trails and wineries and stuff like that. It’s on my list.
How do you build off your postseason success?
Smith-Pelly: It’s just good to go into a new season confident. Obviously, we won it all and being able to contribute does a lot for my confidence. Just going to try to carry it over. I don’t really set goals, personal number goals, just trying to play well, do what I have to do and hopefully the team is successful.
What’s the impact of the short summer after the Cup run?
Eller: Everything in your usual program gets kind of postponed for a month or so. So when everybody started skating in the beginning of August, you feel like you should be out there, but then it’s like, “Oh, don’t forget you played two months longer than half the league, so maybe take a bit of more rest.”
After winning the Stanley Cup, what’s left on the hockey bucket list?
Smith-Pelly: Another one I guess.
The Capitals have a number of activities planned for the season opener. A Rock the Red Carpet event will take place on F Street outside the Capital One Arena from 4-5:30 p.m. to welcome the arriving players. There will also be an outdoor viewing party on G Street by the arena for fans to watch the game. The championship banner will be raised at 7:15 p.m., and puck drop will be at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available through www.nhl.com/capitals.
