Washington Capitals defenseman Brian Pothier, who played at Rensselaer, paid a visit to the third-grade class of Ms. Deborah Ball at Saint Leo the Great Catholic School in Fairfax, Va., on Wednesday, April 2. Pothier met with students to congratulate them on their outstanding achievement through the Reading Is Cool program presented by Chevy Chase Bank. All 23 students in Ball's class read at least one chapter book or five picture books with multicultural themes during the month of February. This earned the class a Caps player visit.

Upon arrival at the school, Pothier was escorted to the classroom by two students wearing Caps jerseys. The moment Pothier entered the classroom he was greeted by students and parents, all of whom were cheering, holding up signs and wearing Caps gear. The students excitably told the defenseman they had seen the Capitals win over Carolina the evening prior and are rooting for the team to make the playoffs.

The school principal introduced Pothier to the class and explained how this Caps player visit is an example of being rewarded for a job well done. Pothier congratulated the class on accomplishing the February reading challenge and he stressed the importance of goal setting and working hard.

The third-grade students fired away question after question at Pothier. He was asked where he has traveled in Europe, why he chose to wear the number two, what it is like to play with teammate Alex Ovechkin, whether his family members play hockey and what food is his favorite. Also, Pothier and the class discussed the Caps new jerseys and the uniform unveiling that took place last June. They discussed things from playing for Team USA to how many teeth he has lost and the movie Ice Age. The students impressed Pothier with their research on him, especially when one student wished him a happy early birthday.

One last treat for the students was receiving gift bags, autographs from Pothier and a group photo with the Caps player to conclude the visit. Pothier received letters, pictures and a banner in return as a token of the class' appreciation for his time.

Ball's students along with the fourth-grade class of Lisa Harlow and Carrie Pendleton from R.C. Haydon Elementary School in Manassas, Va., were the two winning Reading Is Cool classes for the month of February. Both classes had all students complete that month's reading challenges. This earned Ball's class Wednesday's Caps player visit and Harlow and Pendleton's class complimentary tickets to the March 14, Caps game.

The Reading Is Cool program presented by Chevy Chase Bank has concluded for the 2007-08 season. Please check WashingtonCaps.com in the fall to register your class for next season's Reading Is Cool program.