Robert and Pernilla Burakovsky at the 2013 NHL Draft.

Back in September, we threw a fundraiser for Fort Dupont Ice Arena. We called it #PARTYZORD, had a ton of fun, and raised $2,800 for a great cause. One way we raised money was through a silent auction that included cool stuff like signed t-shirts and fanny packs, a jersey, bobbleheads, Rachel’s art, and a pair of tickets to the Caps’ home opener courtesy of Troy and Carmen Brouwer.

Bob McDonald, whom you all know as one of the Caps’ primary national anthem singers, won the tickets (thanks to a very generous donation). He didn’t know it at the time, but those tickets gave Bob a front-row seat for a touching family moment as Andre Burakovsky’s parents, Robert and Pernilla, were in attendance for their son’s first NHL game and got to see him score his first NHL goal.

Bob takes it from here:

I had heard Burakovsky’s parents had come to town for the game, but I had no idea I’d be sitting right in front of them. I arrived to our seats in the “friends and family” section a little late after singing the anthems and changing into civilian clothes, so I didn’t have a chance to make small talk with anyone except seat neighbor Rachel Fehr (who is great, by the way). But I could overhear the people sitting behind me and they weren’t speaking in English. In fact I didn’t hear them use any English, so I wondered if it was Burakovsky’s parents. My suspicions were confirmed about 7 minutes into the first period when Burkavosky scored. [Ed note: After a sweet centering pass by Brouwer, who had just embarrassed P.K. Subban on the forecheck.] As we celebrated the goal I turned around to see his mother crying tears of joy. It was very touching to see these two people just bursting with pride for their son as he achieved that milestone.

This isn’t the first time Mrs. Burakovsky has been stricken with emotion over her son’s accomplishments. NBCSN cameras showed her weeping with joy when Andre was drafted by the Caps in the first round of the 2013 NHL Draft.

According to CSN’s Chuck Gormley, Andre’s uncle (Mikael Burakovsky, who like Robert is a former professional hockey player) and personal trainer were also in town to see Andre’s first NHL game. Now they get to celebrate his first pro goal, too. How great is it that? Even though the Caps lost in the shootout, it was a night Andre Burakovsky and his family will never forget.

Photo: Patrick McDermott