From New York Post · · 1m 20s
Ovechkin ad appearance puts Capitals on defense
Alex Ovechkin’s appearance in a Putin party campaign video drew backlash before Capitals camp opened.
In brief
Alex Ovechkin’s appearance in a Putin party campaign video drew backlash before Capitals camp opened. Ovechkin’s politics remain a flashpoint because his Capitals stardom sits beside past support for Putin and Russia’s war context. Originally reported by New York Post.
A campaign video surfaces
Alex Ovechkin appeared in an ad for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party that drew attention this week.
Capitals point to Moscow
The Capitals said Ovechkin was asked to take part while spending the offseason in Russia, where he lives with family before returning to Washington.
“Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason”
Backlash follows the clip
The ad showed Ovechkin behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Dominik Hasek criticized the appearance as support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The NHL stays out
The league referred questions to the Capitals. Ovechkin is expected to face reporters Thursday when training camp opens before his 22nd NHL season.
Old comments resurface
Ovechkin started a “Putin Team” movement in 2017. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he called for no more war while saying Putin was his president.
“He’s my president, but I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete.”
A record still looms
Ovechkin broke Wayne Gretzky’s goals record in April 2024 and now has 929 career goals since entering the NHL with Washington in 2005.
The big picture
Ovechkin’s politics remain a flashpoint because his Capitals stardom sits beside past support for Putin and Russia’s war context.
