The Washington Capitals have defended their captain, Alex Ovechkin, after the NHL star appeared in a campaign advertisement for Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party.
In a statement provided to the Associated Press, Capitals spokesperson Sergey Kocharov stated that Ovechkin, a Russian citizen, was asked to participate in the video while he was in his home country during the offseason. "Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement," Kocharov said. "As the longest-tenured athlete in Washington, D.C., and a pillar of the community, his focus and ours is on the season ahead and the continued impact he makes on the ice and in our city."
The advertisement features Ovechkin standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The appearance drew criticism on social media, including from Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, who decried it as support for Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. Viacheslav “Slava” Fetisov also appeared in the video.
The NHL deferred comment to the Capitals when asked for a statement. Ovechkin is expected to address reporters when training camp opens on Thursday, ahead of his 22nd NHL season.
This is not the first time Ovechkin has publicly supported Putin. In 2017, he launched a social movement called “Putin Team,” stating at the time, “I just support my country.” Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ovechkin expressed a desire for peace, saying, “Please, no more war.” He also reiterated his distinction between his role as an athlete and politics, stating, “He’s my president, but I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete.”
Putin's administration has implemented strict measures against dissent since the commencement of what it terms a special military operation in Ukraine, with penalties for referring to the conflict as a war.
Ovechkin, who will turn 41 on Thursday, holds the NHL record for career goals, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s mark in April 2024 with his 895th goal. He has scored 929 goals in his career, which began in 2005 after being selected by the Capitals as the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft.