Ovechkin and Putin: What we know about star’s support
Washington Capitals Russian-born star Alex Ovechkin addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, calling it a “hard situation” because he has friends in both countries. He said he hoped that the conflict would end soon and “there would be peace in the whole world.”
The interest in what Ovechkin had to say was strong because he has previously expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ovechkin’s Instagram profile picture is of him with Putin.
What we know about Ovechkin:
What have been his ties with Putin?
In 2017, Ovechkin started a social media movement called Putin Team during the Russian leader’s re-election campaign. The Instagram post included a photo of him and Putin.
“Being part of this team makes me proud and it’s similar to the feeling you get when you put on a Russian national team jersey, knowing that the whole country is rooting for you,” he wrote in Russian.
“I’m confident that there’s a lot of us who support Vladimir Putin,” Ovechkin wrote in the post.
“So let’s come together and show everyone a strong and unified Russia!”
He later told reporters he wasn’t trying to be political with the post.
“I just support my country, you know?” Ovechkin said. “That’s where I’m from, my parents live there, all my friends. Like every human from different countries, they support their president.”
Ovechkin received a wedding gift from Putin in 2016 and a telegram from the Russian leader was read at the reception.
What did Ovechkin say about Putin on Feb. 25?
Asked if he supported Putin, Ovechkin said, “He’s my president but … I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete and how I said, I hope everything is going to be done soon.”
What else did Ovechkin say?
When reporters alluded to Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev writing, “No war please,” on a TV camera after winning a match in Dubai, Ovechkin said, “Please, no more war. It doesn’t matter who’s in a war. Russia, Ukraine, different countries. I think we live in a world, like, we have to live in peace and a great world.”
What was the reaction to his comments?
Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek called Ovechkin an “alibist,” a “liar” and a “chicken (expletive).”
Hasek also called for the league to expel Russian players.
A Washington Post column called Ovechkin’s comments a “missed opportunity.”
Have any other Russian-born
NHL players spoken up?
Calgary Flames defenseman Nikita Zadorov posted “NO WAR” on his Instagram account on Saturday.
What kind of reaction can Ovechkin expect on the ice?
Ovechkin is a fan favorite in Washington. The 2004 No. 1 overall pick has been the top goal scorer of his generation and led the Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup title. He is a candidate for MVP and has Washington in playoff position with a 32-goal season.
What did the NHL say about its Russian players?
In a statement Feb. 28 condemning the invasion and saying it was breaking ties with its business partners in Russia, the league added that it remains “concerned about the well-being of the players from Russia, who play in the NHL on behalf of their NHL Clubs, and not on behalf of Russia. We understand they and their families are being placed in an extremely difficult position.”