# Ovechkin ad appearance puts Capitals on defense

> Alex Ovechkin’s appearance in a Putin party campaign video drew backlash before Capitals camp opened.
- Title: Ovechkin ad appearance puts Capitals on defense | Shortify
- Summary: Alex Ovechkin’s appearance in a Putin party campaign video drew backlash before Capitals camp opened. Ovechkin’s politics remain a flashpoint because his…
- Keywords: nhl, ovechkin, capitals, russia, ukraine, news, entertainment, appearance, puts, defense, New York Post
- Source: New York Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/sports/capitals-give-word-salad-statement-on-alex-ovechkins-putin-video-campaign-appearance
- Published: 2026-09-15T19:55:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nhl, ovechkin, capitals, russia, ukraine, news, entertainment
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Ovechkin’s politics remain a flashpoint because his Capitals stardom sits beside past support for Putin and Russia’s war context.