The Team is Winnin', Jerseys are Flyin'

FREDERICK, Md. (Map, News) - Washington Capitals jerseys are a hot item at sporting goods stores now that the team is winning.

At Skate Frederick, they are flying off the shelves, a far cry from the 2004-2005 lockout season when the store had to hold a clearance sale to get rid of unsold jerseys.

"I've been here 15 years and we've never sold them this fast," said pro shop manager Brian Auge.

At the Shenk and Tittle sporting goods store, two blank Capitals jerseys were left in the store at the end of last month. The Alex Ovechkin jerseys were long gone.

"They are selling like crazy. We can't keep them in the store," said Kyle Sartory, the store's assistant manager.

The Capitals, who won their conference last year and lead their division this season, are not only winning but have Ovechkin, last year's league MVP. All of that has added up to increased interest in the franchise.

Auge said his store stopped ordering hockey jerseys for several years because they didn't sell, but ordered six this year because the team was winning. They sold out in a week. He ordered 12 more and they went quickly, too.

"I would have sold another dozen if I had them," he said. "People were calling me from all over, even Pennsylvania, asking about jerseys."

He has ordered 15 more adult jerseys and plans to order 15 youth jerseys.

Shenk and Tittle is also selling a lot of Capitals shirts, which cost only $19.99 compared with $114 for a blank jersey.

"We are looking at getting in more stuff," said Sartory.

Sylvain Cardin, the hockey director at Skate Frederick, said hockey is an institution in some cities where fans will show up no matter what, but Washington is not one of those cities.

"Before, when I went to the Verizon Center, it was empty," he said recently. "Last week, I went and it was packed. If you build it, they will come."

However, he feels young players are especially drawn to Ovechkin.

"He does things with the puck that many people can't do," Cardin said. "That's what people like, the spectacular part of the game."

Phillip Meese, 16, says the sport is becoming more popular.

"This team has been winning a lot and people are starting to talk about them more," said Meese. "A lot of people are walking around with Ovechkin jerseys on. I've been to two games this year and everyone wears red and goes crazy."

Chris Turner, 16, has been to five games this season, the most ever for him. He didn't go to any last year.

"It used to be when I asked someone if they saw the Capitals game last night they said, 'Who are the Capitals?'" Turner said.

He also sees more youngsters wearing Caps jerseys to school.

"There is just way more interest. They are much more popular than before," said 15-year-old Sam Reiswig.

The Capitals have also held clinics at four Frederick County schools as part of their Capitals Hockey School program. At a clinic at Monocacy Middle School, about 150 youngsters were on hand to hear from players Tomas Fleischmann and Milan Jurcina and assistant coach Dean Evason.

"The kids were excited, they had a good time," said Jim McNitt, a physical education teacher.

McNitt said he has noticed more kids in school wearing hockey jerseys.

Turner said he expects fans to keep watching the Capitals as long as they continue to do well.

"It's a once-in-a lifetime chance to see great players," he said.

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