Two Reston hockey players represent at Washington Capitals Youth Hockey Night

by Matt Reider, Staff Writer

Capitals Defensemen Matt Roy is escorted by South Lakes’ Stephen Reider as the player arrives at the Youth Hockey Night game on Jan 3rd. The photos on the wall are Capital's players photos as youth. Photo by Washington Capitals Photography.

The Washington Capitals have supported youth hockey since their inception in the 1970s, and those efforts have long included an annual street hockey extravaganza, high school and college games, and other events designed to grow the sport locally. In recent years, Youth Hockey celebrations have expanded into a full weekend, featuring learn-to-play sessions, equipment donations, and both ice and inline hockey opportunities.

On Jan. 3, the Capitals hosted Youth Hockey Night ahead of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks at Capital One Arena, part of Youth Hockey Weekend in the nation’s capital region.

Reston was represented at Washington Capitals Youth Hockey Day by players selected from both inline and ice hockey teams. Stephen Reider, a Herndon–South Lakes varsity high school player, and Paxton Worthy, a 14U player from the Reston Raiders, were chosen to participate. Each youth player was paired with a Capitals player to escort them into the locker rooms, where the NHL player donned a matching jersey before walking the hall together for photos and videos. Local youth who serve as on-ice officials were also included and introduced later in the evening.

Reston Raider 14U player Paxton Worthy was paired up with Capitals player Rasmus Sandin. Photo by Washington Capitals Photography

Earlier in the afternoon, the players were led down the stairs into a newly renovated area of Capital One Arena by Andrew Nash, manager of youth hockey development for the Capitals. Nash oversees off-ice programming, school initiatives, and grassroots events, and also coaches multiple youth teams. A Bethesda native, he was joined by staff members wearing gray “Capitals Youth” quarter-zip sweaters as they chatted with players and families.

Around the room, youth participants wore their team jerseys, with more than 20 teams represented. Several play in the Capitals Inline Hockey League (CIHL), a co-ed league sponsored by Capitals Youth Hockey and now in its third year. The league was created to provide a unified structure for inline hockey players and competes at rinks throughout the region, including the Lake Fairfax Inline Skating Rink. The rink—Fairfax County’s first inline facility—was built in partnership with the Capitals and opened in May 2024. Ice hockey teams from both the Potomac Valley Amateur Hockey Association and the Northern Virginia Scholastic Hockey League were also represented.

The youth players then moved to the parking garage, where they waited in folding chairs for their NHL counterparts. Capitals forward Ethan Frank arrived first for photos, followed by defenseman John Carlson. Tom Wilson appeared shortly after, followed by defenseman Matt Roy. Roy was paired with Stephen Reider, a Reston resident representing the Herndon–South Lakes High School team. Reston Raiders forward Paxton Worthy escorted Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin.

Following the walk and photo sessions, players and families headed to Section 407 to watch the game. During the first intermission, the Piedmont Predator mites took the ice for the popular “Mites on Ice” segment. Additional youth participants appeared in intermission activities, with photos and videos displayed on the arena’s big screen.

The Capitals and Blackhawks finished regulation and overtime tied 2-2, with Chicago earning the win in a shootout. While the result may not have thrilled local fans, more than 20 area youth hockey players and their families left with memories that will last a lifetime.