On the Road with the Washington Capitals

USA TODAY Sports reporter Erik Brady and photojournalist Bryon Houlgrave joined the Capitals for four days in February when the team went on its annual road trip with their fathers or mentors. The trip offered a glimpse into the family-first nature of this team. 

Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana tapes his stick while visiting with his father, Karl, on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn., during the team's 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana tapes his stick while visiting with his father, Karl, on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn., during the team's 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby gets ready for warmups prior to face-off against Chicago.
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby gets ready for warmups prior to face-off against Chicago.
Tim Oshie, father of Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie, laughs at a video clip during a team strategy meeting before playing Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, during the Mentors' Trip.
Tim Oshie, father of Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie, laughs at a video clip during a team strategy meeting before playing Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, during the Mentors' Trip.
Tom Chalk, right, father of Washington Capitals media relations manager Tommy Chalk, and Eugene Fentress, father-in-law of Capitals broadcaster Ken Sabourin, cheer as the Capitals scored a goal against Minnesota on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
Tom Chalk, right, father of Washington Capitals media relations manager Tommy Chalk, and Eugene Fentress, father-in-law of Capitals broadcaster Ken Sabourin, cheer as the Capitals scored a goal against Minnesota on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
Greg Holtby smiles as he watches his son, Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, sign autographs after practice at the United Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Chicago, during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Greg Holtby smiles as he watches his son, Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, sign autographs after practice at the United Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Chicago, during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals right winger Tom Wilson signs an autograph for a fan following team warmups at the United Center in Chicago.
Washington Capitals right winger Tom Wilson signs an autograph for a fan following team warmups at the United Center in Chicago.
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin watches on during practice on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. Ovechkin's brother, Michael, joined him during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin watches on during practice on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois. Ovechkin's brother, Michael, joined him during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals center Chandler Stephenson visits with his father, Curt, on the ice at the United Center on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals center Chandler Stephenson visits with his father, Curt, on the ice at the United Center on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, in Chicago, Illinois, during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos tapes his hockey stick as his father, Par, a former defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, joins him in the locker room prior to a team meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
Washington Capitals defenseman Christian Djoos tapes his hockey stick as his father, Par, a former defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, joins him in the locker room prior to a team meeting on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin, right, talks with teammate Alex Chiasson prior to a team meeting in the locker room at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin, right, talks with teammate Alex Chiasson prior to a team meeting in the locker room at the Xcel Energy Center on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn.
Washington Capitals right wing Devonte Smith-Pelly laughs as fathers of the players joke around prior to practice on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn., during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals right wing Devonte Smith-Pelly laughs as fathers of the players joke around prior to practice on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn., during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Vladimir Orlov, father of Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov, makes a gesture while watching the Capitals game against Chicago from the luxury suites at the United Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, during the Mentors' Trip.
Vladimir Orlov, father of Washington Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov, makes a gesture while watching the Capitals game against Chicago from the luxury suites at the United Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, during the Mentors' Trip.
The Washington Capitals prepare to take the ice against Chicago at the United Center.
The Washington Capitals prepare to take the ice against Chicago at the United Center.
Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie gets ready for ice time prior to face-off against Minnesota.
Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie gets ready for ice time prior to face-off against Minnesota.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) gets around Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. Backstrom's father, Anders, watched the game with other players' fathers during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) gets around Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018, in St. Paul, Minn. Backstrom's father, Anders, watched the game with other players' fathers during the 2018 Mentors' Trip.
↑Back to Top