Little Capitals And Team Maryland To Join Forces

2010-02-23

Team Maryland and the Washington Little Capitals have agreed to join forces at the U-16 National and U-18 age levels beginning in 2010-11.

Team Maryland and the Washington Little Capitals have agreed to join forces at the U-16 National and U-18 age levels beginning in 2010-11. These two teams will be operated by a separate, independent, non-profit entity titled “DC Capitals.”

Dan Houck has agreed to serve as the DC Capitals first Director of Coaching and Jeff Nygaard has agreed to serve as the DC Capitals first Executive Director. Houck will assume primary responsibility for on-ice operations while Nygaard will assume primary responsibility for off-ice operations. The DC Capitals will be governed by a two-person board of directors, which will be comprised of the Presidents of WLC and TM. Head Coaches for the DC Capitals will be announced in March when Team Maryland and the Washington Little Capitals announce their coaching staffs.

The DC Capitals U-16 squad will compete in the AYHL U-16 National Division and it will be registered as a national-bound team. The DC Capitals U-18 squad will compete in the AYHL U-18 Division and it also plans to compete in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL) or another, similar Showcase-style league. The U-18s will also be registered as a national-bound squad.

The PVAHA has agreed to eliminate the “River Rule” at the Tier I level for U-16 national-bound and U-18 national-bound levels. This will permit the DC Capitals to commit their resources to the top U-16 and U-18 players in the Washington, D.C., area who choose this path of development and advancement.

Both TM and WLC also intend to field teams at the Midget U-16 American Division, Bantam Major, Bantam Minor, Pee Wee Major and Pee Wee Minor levels on each side of the river. The PVAHA has kept the “River Rule” in effect for all Tier I teams below U-16 national-bound.

The DC Capitals will practice and play in the Kettler Capitals Iceplex, The Gardens Ice House and Rockville Ice Arena, three of the leading facilities in the region.

By combining coaching, training and advancement resources at the U-16 and U-18 levels, TM and WLC believe the DC Capitals will be able to consistently field competitive teams that will garner attention from college and upper level Junior scouts. The DC Capitals will be geared toward helping players develop on the ice, while also helping them advance to a higher level of hockey when they complete their local hockey careers.

Tryouts for the U-16s will take place during the April 15-19 timeframe. Tryouts for the U-18s will be held in the May 13-16 timeframe. Complete tryout and program details will be available shortly.