From Superfan to Skater: 7-Year-Old Sadie Johnson Joins Hockey League
Seven-year-old Sadie Johnson, a devoted fan of the Washington Capitals, has taken her love for hockey from the stands to the ice. Inspired by watching the sport as a baby, she recently completed the Capitals' ALL CAPS ALL HER (ACAH) Learn to Play program. Now, she is set to join her first house league team this autumn.
Sadie's connection to the Capitals began early. Her parents took her to her first game at just six weeks old. Months later, she attended the team's Stanley Cup parade on the National Mall. By age two, she was on the ice for the first time, and at four, she started Learn to Skate classes at MedStar Capitals Iceplex.
Her passion grew after watching Mites on Ice during a Capitals match. This led her to join the all-girls session of the Future Caps Learn to Play program. Recently, she was one of six ACAH participants who stood with the team's starting lineup before a game against the Philadelphia Flyers as part of Women in Hockey Night. Before the match, she was paired with her hero, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. Sadie's father, Mac, praises the ACAH program for its coaching staff, who he says bring both skill and enthusiasm to the game. The family's love for the team even extends to Halloween—one year, they dressed Sadie as the Stanley Cup for the Del Ray Parade, surrounded by other Capitals-themed costumes.
Sadie's journey from a tiny fan in the crowd to a young player on the ice reflects her deep bond with the sport. With her first house league season approaching, she joins a growing number of girls taking up hockey through the Capitals' programs. Her story highlights how early exposure and community initiatives can spark a lifelong passion for the game.
