Capitals Mike Green

Mike Green plays professional hockey as a defenseman for the Washington Capitals. His nickname is "Game Over", not because he plays poorly, but because he tends to score clinching shots in the last few minutes of a game or in overtime.

For example, in a game against the Hurricanes, with less than four minutes of overtime left, Mike scored with a quick wrist shot. Earlier in that same game, he had given up the puck to Alexander Semin in an embarrassing turnover that cost the Capitals their lead, tying the game at 3-3. Undaunted, he kept his game face on and redeemed himself.

The 24 year old defenseman was recently the subject of a highly controversial check. In hockey, violence is so common that it's sometimes described with the tongue in cheek, "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out." However, although a highly physical sport, players are expected to fight honorably. Knocking a player off his feet in the middle of the ice because he wasn't paying attention is relatively harmless. However, David Koci checked Mike Green from behind, into the glass, and appeared to be aiming for his head. This kind of flagrant attempt to actually cause harm crosses the line in many critic's eyes. Koci averages about an eighth of the time Green does on the ice, and the attack was construed to be just that -- an attempt to incapacitate a decent player.

In addition to playing for the Capitals Mike Green is involved in the Children's National Medical Center. He also participates in activities with middle school children with fellow Capitals player Alexander Ovechkin. Programs like these inspire kids and give them positive role models to follow.