The Washington Capitals have addressed the latest controversy surrounding their superstar captain, Alex Ovechkin, following his appearance in a campaign advertisement for Vladimir Putin’s ruling United Russia party. In a statement released to the Associated Press, the NHL franchise clarified that Ovechkin was asked to participate in the promotional video while spending the summer offseason in his native Russia.
The team’s response highlights the delicate diplomatic line the organization continues to walk regarding its long-time star. “Alex Ovechkin is a Russian citizen who lives in Moscow with his family during the offseason and will live there following his retirement,” Capitals spokesperson Sergey Kocharov said in the statement. Kocharov emphasized Ovechkin’s deep ties to Washington, D.C., as the city’s longest-tenured active athlete, asserting that both the player and the team remain focused on the upcoming season and his ongoing contributions on the ice.
In the promotional video, which surfaced online ahead of the NHL training camp, Ovechkin is seen standing behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The ad also features fellow Russian hockey legend Viacheslav “Slava” Fetisov. The appearance quickly drew sharp criticism, notably from Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek, who condemned the participation on social media, framing it as active support for Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
When approached for comment on the matter, the NHL deferred entirely to the Capitals. The situation places the league in a familiar, uncomfortable position regarding the political activities of its Russian players, particularly as Moscow has heavily restricted domestic dissent and penalized public criticism of its military actions.
Ovechkin, who turns 41 as training camp opens for his 22nd NHL season, has historically maintained a close relationship with the Russian president, having launched the “Putin Team” social movement in 2017. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Ovechkin pleaded for “no more war” during a press conference but defended his ties to the Kremlin, stating, “He’s my president, but I’m not in politics. I’m an athlete.” Ovechkin, who broke Wayne Gretzky’s goal-scoring record in April 2024, is scheduled to address media members as training camp begins.