Washington Capitals forward Brett Connolly talked to reporters Thursday for the first time since his interaction Sunday with young fan Keelan Moxley, a first-grader, now known as “puck girl” after a video of her waiting for Connolly to give her a puck during a team warm-up went viral.
The first puck Connolly intended for her was snatched up by a boy standing next to her. Connolly tried again, but the man standing behind her grabbed the next puck and gave it to his other son.
“I kinda looked at the dad and made a point of, ’Make sure she gets it.’ It’s funny. Whatever happened to ladies first, you know?” Connolly said.
That’s one special #StanleyCup Playoff moment. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Jr9RGqFPGh
— NHL (@NHL) April 16, 2018
The sequence of events happened before the Capitals’ Game 2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday at Capital One Arena. Now that a Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m., Capitals owner Ted Leonsis has invited Moxley and her parents to the game, in seats along the glass.
“I saw her interview. She’s extremely well-spoken for a young kid,” Connolly said. “I think she’s a fan favorite now so she’s getting a little bit of recognition, too. So she’s having fun with that. I think that’s what her mom was saying, that she’s just having the best time ever. All her classmates think she’s famous.”
Connolly said he and his wife, Katrina, will meet the Moxley family at some point and do something for them.
“Anytime we can give back and put a smile on a young kid’s face, ultimately that’s what it’s all about,” Connolly said.
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