The Last of Us actor Kevionn Woodard, who aspires to become the first deaf black player in the NHL, has met his idol and Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin.
Woodard, who hails from Prince George's County in Maryland, got to spend all of Friday with Ovechkin, 37, and the Capitals after the organization learned that the young star is an avid hockey fan.
That included a tour of the team's facility and practice rink, where Woodard scored twice during drills against Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren. Forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel also geared up for the youngster's visit.
In the team's locker room, Woodard taught Ovechkin how to tell his nickname 'Ovi' in American Sign Language (ASL). The Russian, second only to Wayne Gretzky for all-time goal scoring, presented an autographed hockey stick to Woodard afterwards.
'Oh, this is so cool,' Woodard said through an ASL interpreter. 'I can't believe it. This is a dream of mine.'
Woodard also met the newly retired and former Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly, who's just one of 11 black players who's represented the organization.
Both Smith-Pelly and Woodard attended the Capitals game on Saturday against the New York Rangers. The pair were involved in the puck drop during the 'Celebrating Black History' pregame celebrations.
The Capitals ended up defeating the Rangers 6-3 in what was the team's 29th win of the season.
Woodard was celebrated during the game's 'Rising Stars' moment along with other youth hockey players.
In October, the Capitals gave a $10,000 grant to the Bowie Hockey Club in Maryland, where Woodard plays.
The franchise was chosen based on its 'missions and impact toward diversity in hockey, as well as on their plans to use the funding to further advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the sport.'
A portion of the grant was even used to support Woodard's dream of turning pro by providing him with an ASL interpreter and special hockey equipment.
Other than recently featuring in the widely popular drama TV series The Last of Us, Woodard has also played in 'Fractal' and 'Seeds of Hope: The Andrew Jackson Foster story.'
