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Rising Stars Academy
The Washington Capitals are dedicated to further advancing access to hockey. The Rising Stars Academy provides elite skill development and mentorship for local hockey players of from underrepresented communities. Through on‑ice training, off‑ice conditioning, and guided discussions about hockey culture and access to the game, RSA builds both physical and mental strength.
MISSION & GOALS
BE READY.
BE WILLING.
BE RESPECTFUL.
BE A RISING STAR!
Rising Stars Academy (RSA) bridges the gap to higher-level hockey for DMV-area players. We deliver professional-level training designed to foster habits and skills that translate both on and off the ice. RSA athletes commit to preparedness, hard work, and respect for both the opportunities they receive and the world around them.
ACADEMY COMPONENTS
Elite Skill Development
- On-ice drills: skating, edge control, puck handling
- Off-ice drills: speed, agility, power, strength
Mentorship & Culture
- Small-group discussions on hockey culture and access to the game
- Life skills coaching on professionalism, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance
Community & Support
- Network with peers and local hockey leaders
- Ongoing guidance for athletes and families
Bryan King - Lead Instructor
Bryan King is a Washigton, D.C. native, hockey coach, and community leader committed to expanding access to the game. His hockey journey began at Fort Dupont ICe Arena before continuing at La Salle University, where he played collegiate hockey and earned ACHA Division II All-Star recognition.
A USA Hockey Level 5 Certified Coach and Coaching Developer, Bryan has spent more than 12 years developing athletes throughout the DMV. His coaching experience includes the Fort Dupont Cannons, Gonzaga College High School, the Washington Little Capitals, St. John's College High School, and the Loudoun Knights.
Beyond coaching, Bryan champions youth development through community partnerships, camps, and clinics. His mission is to use hockey as a vehicle for access, mentorship, leadership, confidence, and lifelong opportunities for young people throughout D.C. and the surrounding areas.
duante' abercrombie - ambassador
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.
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.