The Capitals officially opened training camp Sunday when 24 players hit the ice in front of hundreds of fans at Kettler Capitals Iceplex.

Center Brooks Laich, who is nursing an apparent groin injury, was not on the ice with the team, while defenseman Tom Poti, trying to return from a broken pelvis, was assigned to the AHL Hershey Bears on a conditioning assignment. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov [apparent concussion] also did not skate.

Because Laich was injured during the lockout while playing for the Kloten Flyers in Switzerland, the Caps are not required to pay him until he passes a team physical.

Head coach Adam Oates went with the following forward combinations and defense pairings:

FORWARDS

Alex Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Marcus Johansson

Wojtek Wolski-Mike Ribeiro-Troy Brouwer

Jason Chimera-Jay Beagle-Joel Ward

Matt Hendricks-Mathieu Perreault-Eric Fehr

Extras: Tom Wilson, Joey Crabb

DEFENSEMEN

Karl Alzner-John Carlson

Roman Hamrlik-Mike Green

Jeff Schultz-John Erskine

Cam Schilling-Jack Hillen

GOALTENDERS

Braden Holtby-Michal Neuvirth

The Caps will continue their six-day training camp with daily workouts at Kettler beginning at 10:30. They will have a fan appreciation special event on Thursday night at Verizon Center from 6-9 p.m., with a practice beginning at 7. Admission is free and includes complimentary hot dogs, fountain soda, popcorn, pretzels, nachos and ice cream.