The Washington Capitals are dedicated to further advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in hockey. The Rising Stars Academy provides elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of color and their families. The program emphasizes physical and mental strength and includes social discussions around the culture of hockey.

Be ready - be willing - be respectful - be a Rising Star!

The Rising Stars Academy (RSA) was established to serve as the bridge to higher level hockey that many players in the DMV have needed for decades. The RSA provides athletes with elite-level training in the hopes of developing professional habits and skills that will translate into every aspect of a player's life both on and off the ice. RSA athletes are expected to be prepared, work hard, and respect both the opportunities provided and the world around them. 

Interested players are encouraged to join the Rising Stars Academy community using the link below. 

COST: There is no fee to participate. The Rising Stars Academy is funded by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation Capital Impact Fund.

Registration does not guarantee participation for the academy.  Capitals Youth Hockey Development will review all submissions and contact players regarding attendance and participation. 

Bryan’s passion for hockey was ignited at a young age under the mentorship of Coach Neil Henderson with the Fort Dupont Cannons. It was here that he first fell in love with the game, laying the foundation for his collegiate career at LaSalle University, where he proudly played for the ACHA Division II team. After college, Bryan felt a strong calling to return to his hometown of Washington, DC, to give back to the hockey community that helped shape his early journey in hockey.

Motivated by a desire to share the lessons he had learned, Bryan returned to Fort Dupont to begin his coaching career. His dedication and leadership led him to become the Varsity 2 Head Coach at Gonzaga College High School, where his teams have thrived under his guidance. Under Bryan’s leadership, Gonzaga has won three consecutive MAPHL championships, a testament to his ability to build and motivate successful, high-performing teams.

As a USA Hockey Certified Level 5 Coach and Coaching Developer, Bryan’s expertise is nationally recognized, reflecting his continuous growth and commitment to the sport.

Driven by a deep commitment to the next generation of hockey players in the DC area, Bryan strives to instill not only the technical aspects of the game but also the life lessons that extend beyond the rink. Through mentorship, he empowers young athletes to become leaders, teaching them the value of perseverance, integrity, and teamwork, both in hockey and in life.

Duante Abercrombie was named head coach of the Tennessee State University men’s hockey team on April 16, 2024, becoming the first head coach of a hockey program at a historically Black college or university (HBCU) and the first Black male to lead an NCAA Division I team. His first season begins in 2025-26.

Abercrombie has extensive experience with NHL organizations, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, and Arizona Coyotes. During the 2022-23 season, he worked with the Maple Leafs, Toronto Marlies (AHL), and Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL), contributing to pre-scout analysis, player development, and game preparation. His work with the Coyotes was chronicled in ESPN’s NHL Bound, highlighting his journey to diversify the hockey coaching ranks.

An inaugural member of the NHL Coaches’ Association’s BIPOC Coaches Program, Abercrombie has been mentored by prominent Black hockey figures like Neal Henderson, a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, and Graeme Townshend, the NHL’s first Jamaican-born player. Recognized on The Athletic’s 2020 40-Under-40 list for shaping hockey’s future, he was also nominated for the Washington Capitals’ 2024 Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for his work with Rising Stars Academy.