{"id":101209,"date":"2025-07-29T04:56:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T04:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/101209\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T04:56:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T04:56:15","slug":"john-carlson-logan-thompson-and-evgeny-kuznetsov-bring-out-hundreds-of-capitals-fans-to-southern-maryland-for-autograph-signing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/101209\/","title":{"rendered":"John Carlson, Logan Thompson, and Evgeny Kuznetsov bring out hundreds of Capitals fans to Southern Maryland for autograph signing"},"content":{"rendered":"

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD \u2014<\/strong> Two current stars of the Washington Capitals, defenseman John Carlson<\/strong> and goaltender Logan Thompson<\/strong>, made their way down to Southern Maryland on Saturday to sign autographs for hundreds of fans during Prince Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM\u2019s eleventh annual community appreciation event<\/a>. Carlson and Thompson were joined by 2018 Stanley Cup champion centerman Evgeny Kuznetsov<\/strong>\u00a0and former Capitals rearguard Al Iafrate<\/strong>, who won the NHL\u2019s Hardest Shot competition twice in his career.<\/p>\n

Beloved Monumental Sports Network analyst Craig Laughlin<\/strong> also milled about, signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Of course, he also brought along his trademark humor.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh no, why are you here?!\u201d Laughlin said to me when I arrived. \u201cWho invited you?\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the dealership, due to the large number of Caps fans in attendance<\/a>, they had to make further arrangements with the players to have them stay past their original 2 pm deadline. To give you an idea of just how popular the event was, security cameras showed the first people arriving to get in line for wristbands at an astounding 5:50 am.<\/p>\n

The most notable inclusion for the event was Kuznetsov, who hasn\u2019t played for the Capitals since the 2023-24 season. The dealership learned the Russian forward was in town thanks to a viral story of him playing beer-league hockey the week before at MedStar Capitals Iceplex<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t it be cool if we could get him to come?\u201d PFCJDR comptroller and event coordinator, Dee Aud, recalled saying to herself when she saw the news.<\/p>\n

Kuznetsov brought the same infectious energy that he had when dazzling on the Capital One Arena ice for a decade. Smiling ear-to-ear, Kuzy cracked jokes with Carlson and Thompson \u2014 the sound of his joyful cackle bouncing off the walls of the dealership.<\/p>\n

At one point, the NHL\u2019s leading scorer in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs obliged a fan\u2019s request to take a selfie together, leaning well over the table to make the moment happen. Kuznetsov and Carlson also signed countless Stanley Cup items. Logan Thompson even added his mark on some of them as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fun surprising the community and fans with the opportunity to meet and greet people they only see on TV or at the games,\u201d Aud said.<\/p>\n

Towards the end of the players\u2019 appearances, Kuzy, as well as others, were presented a challenge coin by Calvert County Sheriff Ricky Cox, who attended the event.<\/p>\n

As the players made their way to the back of the dealership to exit, Aud asked Thompson, who finished fourth in Vezina Trophy voting this past season<\/a>, if he would take a picture with her. Thompson obliged. As Aud asked her daughter to photograph the special moment, Kuznetsov grabbed the phone out of her hands.<\/p>\n

These are the following photos he took.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo taken by Evgeny Kuznetsov
\n\"\"Photo taken by Evgeny Kuznetsov
\n\"\"Photo taken by Evgeny Kuznetsov
\n\"\"Photo taken by Evgeny Kuznetsov<\/p>\n

\u201cI had to laugh when I started looking through the pictures for the day,\u201d Aud said. \u201cHe was quite funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

One item that Kuznetsov autographed before leaving was a Hershey Bears\u2019 2024 Calder Cup champions hat. Kuznetsov spent five days with the Capitals\u2019 AHL affiliate that year<\/a>, leaving an indelible mark on teammates and coaches, before being traded to the Carolina Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

Kuznetsov beamed with pride when I told him that he was technically a part (a very, very small part) of that championship team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know! I asked them for a day with the Calder Cup,\u201d he said, seriously.<\/p>\n

The moment ultimately didn\u2019t pan out. However, the comment once again illustrated how much pride Kuznetsov took being a part of the Capitals organization and how much he loves playing hockey, anywhere, at any level, even at local rinks for men\u2019s league games over the summer.<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s unclear where he will end up playing professionally next season, Kuzy was as down-to-earth, happy, and humble as I\u2019ve ever seen him. And if there\u2019s anything I take from the day, beyond Locker\u2019s ribbing, it was that.<\/p>\n

Photos
\n\"Al\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Evgeny\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Evgeny\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Al\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Al\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"\"\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Craig\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Evgeny\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Al\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Al\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB
\n\"Evgeny\ud83d\udcf8: Ian Oland\/RMNB<\/p>\n

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