The St. James Agrees to Acquire Storied Washington Little Caps

Elite Tier 1 hockey program joins The St. James to elevate player development

SPRINGFIELD, Va., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. James, the nation's leading platform for sports, academies, wellness and entertainment experiences, is excited to announce that it has agreed to acquire the Washington Little Caps (WLC), a storied institution in the Washington region and one of the nation's most respected Tier 1 youth hockey programs. This acquisition, which is subject to the completion of definitive documentation, significantly strengthens The St. James' commitment to developing elite hockey players by integrating WLC's proven training philosophy with its Tier 2 youth hockey program, The St. James Hockey Club, along with world-class facilities, coaching, and resources.

For over 40 years, the Washington Little Caps have built a reputation for strong player development, competing in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League (AYHL) and Tier 1 Elite Hockey League (T1EHL). WLC has consistently produced top talent, with athletes advancing to junior, collegiate, and professional levels. By joining The St. James, WLC players will now benefit from enhanced training, strength and conditioning, recovery, and performance nutrition services in an environment designed to support long-term athletic success.

"The Washington Little Caps have a legacy of excellence, and we're excited to build upon that foundation," said Elyse Graziano, Chief Sports Officer at The St. James. "We will integrate the Little Caps with The St. James Performance Academy and our comprehensive hockey offerings to provide players with an unmatched hockey experience, offering the best facilities, coaching, and support to help them achieve their goals."

The St. James Performance Academy is a world class college preparatory sports conservatory for student-athletes looking to take their game to the next level. The Academy's detailed, personalized and holistic approach to athlete development is designed to develop and nurture the complete student-athlete. A comprehensive program of skill development game IQ, strength and conditioning, nutrition, mental and lifestyle discipline and character-building allows each athlete to maximize their potential.

"I am thrilled with The St. James' acquisition of the Washington Little Capitals. This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand the development pathway for players in our hockey community. With the addition of the Little Caps, we are not only enhancing our commitment to excellence but also reinforcing our mission to create a world-class environment where athletes can grow, compete, and thrive at every level. We look forward to this new chapter and to seeing the continued success of the Little Caps program as part of the STJ Hockey family," said Tim Graham, The St. James Hockey Director.

As part of this transition, WLC athletes will have access to:

• Full-ice training sessions for all teams.
• Comprehensive athletic development programs twice per week.
• Advanced recovery resources, including cryotherapy, compression therapy, and sports massage.
• Performance nutrition support with customized meal planning.
• Upgraded locker room facilities to enhance the recruiting experience for Tier 1 athletes.
• A clear development pathway, linking The St. James' youth hockey programs with WLC's Tier 1 teams.

"Our mission has always been to develop not just great hockey players, but great people," said Mike Donnellan, Hockey Director of the Washington Little Caps. "This partnership gives our players access to the best possible resources to compete at the highest level and prepare for future success."

The St. James' High Performance program, led by Mateus Manoel, will be integrated into WLC's team structure, providing individualized strength and conditioning plans and data-driven performance analysis to optimize player development. With access to these resources, athletes will receive a comprehensive training experience that prioritizes both skill progression and long-term physical performance.

Founded in 1983, the Washington Little Caps have developed a culture of hard work, commitment, and character, with a focus on preparing players for success both on and off the ice. The transition to The St. James ensures that athletes will continue to receive high-level coaching and development opportunities, while also benefiting from a state-of-the-art training environment.

With the acquisition underway, The St. James and WLC are preparing for the upcoming 2025-26 season, ensuring a smooth transition for players and families.

For more information, visit www.thestjameshockey.com

Tryout Dates:

11U 2014s:
March 10: 6:00-7:00 PM at ION
March 11: 5:00-6:10 PM at STJ
March 12: 6:00-7:00 PM at ION

12U 2013s:
March 11: 7:10-8:10 PM at ION
March 12: 5:00-6:10 PM at STJ
March 13: 7:10-8:10 PM at ION

13U 2012s:
April 8: 5:50-6:50 PM at ION
April 9: 5:40-6:40 PM at ION
April 10: 5:20-6:20 PM at STJ

14U 2011s:
April 8: 7:00-8:00 PM at ION
April 9: 6:50-7:50 PM at ION
April 10: 6:30-7:30 PM at STJ

15U 2010s:
April 8: 8:10-9:10 PM at ION
April 9: 7:10-8:10 PM at ION
April 10: 7:40-8:40 PM at STJ

16U 2009s:
April 8: 6:40-7:40 PM at ION
April 9: 8:00-9:00 PM at ION
April 10: 68:30-9:30 PM at STJ

18U 2007 & 2008s:
April 8: 7:50-8:50 PM at ION
April 9: 9:10-10:10 PM at ION
April 10: 8:50-9:50 PM at STJ

For more information, visit www.thestjames.com and follow @thestjames on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About The St. James
The St. James Teams give elite athletes year-round training, professional coaching, and competition across multiple sports. With access to state-of-the-art facilities—including performance centers, full-size fields, and recovery spaces—athletes train in an environment built for high-level development. Expert-led programs focus on skill refinement, strength and conditioning, and competitive readiness, preparing players for collegiate athletics, professional careers, and long-term success.

Media Contact:
Kristine Friend
[email protected]
202-239-6870

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SOURCE The St. James