Remember the time Mister Rogers was the honorary captain of an NHL team?  For anyone who saw the latest documentary on the children’s television legend, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, we were reminded of Fred Rogers’ endless list of accomplishments.

He was the writer, puppeteer, producer and longtime host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, he won a Peabody Award and a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work, and he (pretty much single-handedly) convinced congress not to cut funding for public television to the tune of $20 million. (For anyone who didn’t see the documentary, stop what you’re doing and go watch it right now. And bring a box of tissues.)
 
But we couldn’t help but notice his brief stint as an NHL captain wasn’t included in the film, so we thought we’d revisit the iconic moment to make this day a bit brighter.
 
We’ll paint the scene for you. It was the 1991 off-season, and the NHL was advancing into its 75thseason. To celebrate the milestone, the league had all 22 of its teams name a celebrity captain for the upcoming season. The Chicago Blackhawks chose Jim Belushi, the Washington Capitals chose Larry King and the Los Angeles Kings chose John Candy, to name a few. But the Pittsburgh Penguins chose what is (arguably) the greatest celebrity captain of all: Fred Rogers.

We know what you’re thinking: what does your kind-hearted, compassionate “next-door neighbor” have in common with the rough and tough game of hockey? He might not have had the grit, but Rogers lived and worked in Pittsburgh most of his life and definitely had a connection to the city.
 
He also knew his way around a rink. Video proof below, where the children’s television host made an on-ice appearance at Pittsburgh’s rink to accept his honorary title in 1991. (Fred Rogers fans: please take note of him swapping his jacket for a Captain’s cardigan à la Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.)

 

 
Pro Set even released a set of hockey cards that season known as the “Pro Set Platinum”, including a card for Mister Rogers himself.

The front of the card shows Rogers in his trademark sweater and comfortable sneakers, while the back of the card includes a brief biography highlighting the television star’s career and social impact. Wouldn’t mind adding that card to the collection.