In the Media
New Capitals Practice Facility Named
November 2, 2006 Washington Examiner
By David Francis
The Washington Capitals’ new practice facility and corporate headquarters located eight stories aboveground on top of the Ballston Common Mall parking deck has been named the Kettler Capitals Iceplex after Robert Kettler, founder of real estate developer KSI Services.
The price KSI paid for naming rights is not being disclosed, said Nate Ewell, director of media relations for the Capitals. Kettler said KSI is using the unveiling of the ice rink to change it’s brand to Kettler.
“I can’t believe I took an elevator up to the 8th floor to come to an ice rink,” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said at a ceremony Wednesday afternoon. “I think the players are going to love this place.”
The new 137,000-square-foot facility, set to open sometime this month, will also be home to local high school and college hockey teams, and will have ice time for public skating . All Capitals practices will be open to the public.
The Capitals are set to begin practicing at facility early next month.
Players from Yorktown High School’s hockey team, Capitals Olie Kolzig, Chris Clark, Dainius Zubrus and Sarah Sitcov, and Arlington County Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman joined Leonsis and Kettler at the ceremony.