Yesterday I got the following message in my inbox (note redacted to exclude personal information):
From : (XXXX@XXXX)
Sent : Monday, November 14, 2005 2:01 PM
To : emcerlain - at -- hotmail.com
Subject : Hi--It is Ted Leonsis
Want to go to a Caps game with me sometime? I would love to meet you. Ted
That's Ted Leonsis as in the Vice Chairman of AOL and the owner of the Washington Capitals.
Wow.
After a couple of more messages, I made arrangements to watch tonight's game against Tampa Bay with Leonsis and a number of other guests in the owner's box. While I won't be taking notes, I will have a report later as to what went on, and how it all came about.
UPDATE: Just got back from the Alex Ovechkin show co-starring Brent Johnson: A 4-3 shootout victory over the defending Stanley Cup Champions. Needless to say, tonight's game was a great showcase for Leonsis' long-term plan for the Caps. There's a lot to write about, and plenty more to absorb, all of which I'll be posting tomorrow morning.
It makes sense that one of the most progressive hockey owners should invite one of the best hockey bloggers to a game.
The redesigned Caps website looks clean, but it is harder to find all of the content that was there before. Although the media vault is cool, I liked the interview clips, Leonis clips and articles easily available up front on the old site.
Nicely done!
I’m not a Caps fan, but I have a lot of respect for how Leonsis runs his operation — and for some of the players, too. If only they weren’t in the Canes’ division…
How about that Lightning team? Props to Ovechkin for getting his team the win, but how did this Lightning team win the Cup? Khabibulin’s numbers weren’t THAT good and don’t tell me the difference was Corey Stillman. Seriously, what’s up in Tampa?
Congrats!!! Well deserved.
And kudus to Leonsis. I can’t see Bill Wirtz, Jeremy Jacobs, or any of the corporate team owners making similar gestures to devotees of their team.
Eric, that’s awesome. What an honor. Saw the highlights, what a great game!