How Ethen Frank Became Part Of One Of The Capitals' Weirdest Warmup Routines: 'I Didn't Know What Was Happening'
Ethen Frank admitted he was a bit scared when he first became involved in one of the Washington Capitals' odd pregame rituals. (Screencap/Capitals)ARLINGTON, V.A. — Ethen Frank was minding his own business, standing on the ice before the Washington Capitals took on the Calgary Flames, when Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson came up on both sides of him, getting low.
Then, Protas and Wilson looped their arms around Frank's and hoisted him up into the air.
"At first, it kind of scared me pretty bad, because I didn't know what was happening," Frank laughed. "They both just went down... it scared me."
It's been one of the team's odd warmup rituals that's been a few years in the making now, and with Frank being one of the smaller players on the team at 5-foot-11, the rookie was the perfect teammate for Protas and Wilson to show off their strength with.
"After the third or fourth game, I realized that I was part of the warm-up now, and I enjoy it," Frank laughed.
The origin behind it remains a bit of a mystery, as do the stories behind a handful of the team's quirks. Frank, however, has become more impressed as Protas has taken to lifting Frank by himself of late.
"I don't know why Pro decides to be Mr. Strongman and do it solo every time, but we have a lot of fun with it," Frank said. "We're all screaming out there during the breakouts and warmups and having a lot of fun."
Is he ever worried one of his teammates will drop him?
"No, no. Especially Pro. Even if he does, I got a body full of gear on, so I should be all right," Frank laughed.
Overall, it's just another fond memory that the 27-year-old has formed since joining the team in mid-January.
"It's been great. I got no complaints," Frank said. "I'm still able to learn a lot every day and find ways to improve on and off the ice with different aspects, and everybody's really helpful still."