Alex Ovechkin began his first Capitals media availability of the season by addressing his recent appearance in a United Russia video supporting President Vladimir Putin.
“I’m Russian,” Ovechkin said. “As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably going to stay there. I’m going to live there. My kids are going to live there, my family. I’m full of peace and love, and I hope everything’s going to be OK. My home is Russia. D.C. is my second home. … I hope everything’s going to be OK. Peace and love for everybody.”
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The Capitals released a statement earlier this week saying that Ovechkin “was asked by his country” to appear in the video, which also featured Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov. Asked on Thursday for more detail, Ovechkin said, “They asked me to do that, so I said yes. As simple as that.” He was then asked why he participated in the campaign.
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“I’m Russian, and I support my country,” Ovechkin said. “I’m for peace and love, I hope, in the world. It doesn’t matter who you are. I hope everybody understands that everybody wants peace, and I hope everything is going to be OK in the world.”
He then smiled and changed the subject.
“Let’s do hockey questions.”
With Russian parliamentary elections taking place this weekend, the video began circulating widely online Monday after it was shared by the Russian newspaper Vedomosti. In the ad, Ovechkin is pictured standing alongside more than two dozen Russian celebrities and government officials. The video sparked heated responses, including from Rep. Joe Wilson (R-South Carolina), who sent a letter to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
“I write with serious concern regarding the recent appearance by Washington Capitals Captain Alexander Ovechkin (#8) in a political campaign advertisement for United Russia, the dictatorial political party of Russian war criminal Vladimir Putin, who actively works to oppress the people of Russia by outlawing freedom of speech and fair elections,” wrote Wilson, who is on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
“The advertisement comes ahead of Russia’s September parliamentary ‘elections’ and represents an alarming instance of one of the National Hockey League’s most prominent players lending his image and international celebrity to a political organization that has enabled Putin’s brutal rule and his ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine,” Wilson wrote.
Ovechkin has long had a public relationship with Putin. In 2017, he started a social media campaign to support the politician called “Putin Team,” and his Instagram profile picture shows him with Putin. Ovechkin was born in Moscow and traditionally spends his offseasons in Russia.
“I would say it’s a difficult situation, and I understand why people are upset,” Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said on Thursday. “And that’s probably the most I should say about it as a general manager of a hockey team, and not someone well-versed in geopolitical issues.”
Patrick was later asked for his thoughts on the position Ovechkin is in.
“I mean, I feel bad for him,” the executive said. “It may not be a popular sentiment among people critiquing him right now, but it’s a hard situation for him.”
This is Ovechkin’s 22nd season with the Capitals. The NHL’s all-time leading scorer, who turned 41 on Thursday, decided against retirement this summer and signed a one-year, $4.25-million contract to return to the team.
“I haven’t seen the video, but I know this: [He] has done an amazing job in my time here. I love him, I love his family, and he’s a big part of our team,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “Him being our captain, the relationship I have with him as a coach here, it doesn’t affect that.”
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